RHEL 8 is available now and Oracle has already started certifying their products on RHEL 8. RHEL 7 (7.7) EUS is going to end by August 2021. Companies are slowly planning to upgrade their on-prem environments to RHEL 8 to comply with the standards.
I have a system which is running Oracle Linux 7.5. I would like to try upgrading the system to RHEL 8 to see whether is it worth performing an in place upgrade of the OS.
We will be using subscription-manager and will directly connect to customer portal as I don't have RedHat Satellite installed. Free non-prod/single user subscription can be obtained by registering in https://developers.redhat.com
Note: There is an in-place upgrade strategy from RHEL 6 to RHEL 7 but is not supported by Redhat but RHEL 7 to RHEL 8 in-place upgrade is officially supported by Redhat via Leapp. So to perform this upgrade, I would like to convert my Oracle Linux to Redhat Linux. In this post, we will look at the conversion process of the same.
Current environment that I'm using:
[root@linux75 ~]# uname -a Linux linux75.selvapc.com 4.1.12-112.16.4.el7uek.x86_64 #2 SMP Mon Mar 12 23:57:12 PDT 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux [root@linux75 ~]# cat /etc/os-release NAME="Oracle Linux Server" VERSION="7.5" ID="ol" VERSION_ID="7.5" PRETTY_NAME="Oracle Linux Server 7.5" ANSI_COLOR="0;31" CPE_NAME="cpe:/o:oracle:linux:7:5:server" HOME_URL="https://linux.oracle.com/" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugzilla.oracle.com/" ORACLE_BUGZILLA_PRODUCT="Oracle Linux 7" ORACLE_BUGZILLA_PRODUCT_VERSION=7.5 ORACLE_SUPPORT_PRODUCT="Oracle Linux" ORACLE_SUPPORT_PRODUCT_VERSION=7.5 [root@linux75 ~]# [oracle@linux75 ~]$ sqlplus / as sysdba SQL*Plus: Release 12.2.0.1.0 Production on Thu Feb 18 00:11:07 2021 Copyright (c) 1982, 2016, Oracle. All rights reserved. Connected to: Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Release 12.2.0.1.0 - 64bit Production SQL> select * from v$version; BANNER CON_ID -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Release 12.2.0.1.0 - 64bit Production 0 PL/SQL Release 12.2.0.1.0 - Production 0 CORE 12.2.0.1.0 Production 0 TNS for Linux: Version 12.2.0.1.0 - Production 0 NLSRTL Version 12.2.0.1.0 - Production 0 SQL>As you can see I'm running Oracle database on Oracle Linux and the whole idea is to check whether the database is still operational without any issues post conversion.
Step 1: Install convert2rhel package
convert2rhel package won't be available in default repos. We need to add EPEL repo and then install the package.
Results truncated for easy understanding..
[root@linux75 ~]# [root@linux75 ~]# [root@linux75 ~]# yum install https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm Loaded plugins: langpacks, ulninfo epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm | 15 kB 00:00:00 Examining /var/tmp/yum-root-94f61j/epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm: epel-release-7-13.noarch Marking /var/tmp/yum-root-94f61j/epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm to be installed Resolving Dependencies ... ... ... Installed: epel-release.noarch 0:7-13 Complete! [root@linux75 ~]# yum install convert2rhel Loaded plugins: langpacks, ulninfo epel/x86_64/metalink | 4.7 kB 00:00:00 epel | 4.7 kB 00:00:00 (1/3): epel/x86_64/group_gz | 95 kB 00:00:01 (2/3): epel/x86_64/updateinfo | 1.0 MB 00:00:03 (3/3): epel/x86_64/primary_db | 6.9 MB 00:00:07 Resolving Dependencies ... ... ... Verifying : pexpect-2.3-11.el7.noarch 2/3 Verifying : convert2rhel-0.13-1.el7.noarch 3/3 Installed: convert2rhel.noarch 0:0.13-1.el7 Dependency Installed: pexpect.noarch 0:2.3-11.el7 python-dateutil.noarch 0:1.5-7.el7 Complete! [root@linux75 ~]#Step 2: Install Red Hat GPG signing key
If you have a Redhat 7 installation media, then you can mount the DVD and use the below command
# mount /dev/sr0 /dvd
# rpm --import /dvd/RPM-GPG-KEY-redhat-release
Or if you don't have an installation media handy, you can download the file from Redhat portal Product signing keys and copy the same under /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-redhat-release.
[root@linux75 ~]# cp /media/sf_Oracle/software/RPM-GPG-KEY-redhat-release.txt /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-redhat-release [root@linux75 ~]#Step 3: Install Redhat Subscription Management related packages.
convert2rhel package expects the following packages in the /usr/share/convert2rhel/subscription-manager directory. Download the following packages from Redhat Packages which requires subscription or can be obtained from RHEL 7 installation media
subscription-manager-rhsm-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm
subscription-manager-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm
subscription-manager-rhsm-certificates-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm
python-syspurpose-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm -- needed as a dependency
We will create the directory, copy the packages and also install the packages as sometime the package installation fails via convert2rhel tool due to dependencies.
[root@linux75 software]# mkdir /usr/share/convert2rhel/subscription-manager [root@linux75 software]# ls -lrt subscription-manager-* -rwxrwx---. 1 root vboxsf 340028 Feb 17 16:04 subscription-manager-rhsm-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm -rwxrwx---. 1 root vboxsf 1132252 Feb 17 16:27 subscription-manager-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm -rwxrwx---. 1 root vboxsf 246792 Feb 17 16:28 subscription-manager-rhsm-certificates-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm [root@linux75 software]# ls -lrt python-syspurpose* -rwxrwx---. 1 root vboxsf 280436 Feb 17 16:36 python-syspurpose-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm [root@linux75 software]# cp subscription-manager-* /usr/share/convert2rhel/subscription-manager/ [root@linux75 software]# [root@linux75 software]# rpm -ivh python-syspurpose-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm warning: python-syspurpose-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm: Header V3 RSA/SHA256 Signature, key ID fd431d51: NOKEY Preparing... ################################# [100%] Updating / installing... 1:python-syspurpose-1.24.45-1.el7_9################################# [100%] [root@linux75 software]# rpm -e rhn-client-tools-2.0.2-21.0.3.el7.noarch --nodeps [root@linux75 software]# rpm -ivh subscription-manager-rhsm-certificates-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm warning: subscription-manager-rhsm-certificates-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm: Header V3 RSA/SHA256 Signature, key ID fd431d51: NOKEY Preparing... ################################# [100%] Updating / installing... 1:subscription-manager-rhsm-certifi################################# [100%] [root@linux75 software]# rpm -ivh subscription-manager-rhsm-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm warning: subscription-manager-rhsm-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm: Header V3 RSA/SHA256 Signature, key ID fd431d51: NOKEY Preparing... ################################# [100%] Updating / installing... 1:subscription-manager-rhsm-1.24.45################################# [100%] [root@linux75 software]# rpm -ivh subscription-manager-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm warning: subscription-manager-1.24.45-1.el7_9.x86_64.rpm: Header V3 RSA/SHA256 Signature, key ID fd431d51: NOKEY Preparing... ################################# [100%] Updating / installing... 1:subscription-manager-1.24.45-1.el################################# [100%] [root@linux75 software]#Step 4: Install redhat-release-server package
convert2rhel package requires redhat-release-server package to register the system to either Satellite or subscription account. So we create /usr/share/convert2rhel/redhat-release/Server/ directory and place the redhat-release-server-7.9-5.el7_9.x86_64.rpm which can be downloaded from Redhat portal.
[root@linux75 software]# mkdir -p /usr/share/convert2rhel/redhat-release/Server/ [root@linux75 software]# cp redhat-release-server-7.9-5.el7_9.x86_64.rpm /usr/share/convert2rhel/redhat-release/Server/ [root@linux75 software]#Note: All the packages and release server installed are of version 7.9 and hence when converting Oracle Linux to Redhat Enterprise Linux, the version will be upgraded to latest version 7.9.
Step 5: Start the convert2rhel utility
We are now prepared for converting our system to RHEL.
If the database is running, stop the database and other applications.
Run yum clean all to start yum from clean state and start the convert2rhel utility.
This step will take more time depending on the system resources and internet bandwidth that you have. My system took around 30 minutes to convert.
If the database is running, stop the database and other applications.
Run yum clean all to start yum from clean state and start the convert2rhel utility.
This step will take more time depending on the system resources and internet bandwidth that you have. My system took around 30 minutes to convert.
I'm using my Developer subscription account to register my system to RHSM and you may use yours. If you are using Redhat satellite, the utility command might differ to register to Satellite.
- Start the utility with RHSM username and password
- Accept EULA
- Accept system conversion
- Accept system conversion
- Enter number of chosen subscription
- Accept final system conversion dialog post which automatic rollback is not possible.
- Finally reboot
[root@linux75 software]# convert2rhel --username nagulan.selvakumar --password ******
...
...
WARNING - By continuing you accept this EULA.
Continue with the system conversion? [y/n]:y
[02/18/2021 01:57:58] TASK - [Prepare: Gather system information] *******************************
Name: Oracle Linux Server
OS major version: 7
Architecture: x86_64
Config filename: oracle-7-x86_64.cfg
Running the 'rpm -Va' command which can take several minutes. It can be disabled by using the --no-rpm-va option.
...
...
...
rhn-setup-gnome-2.0.2-21.0.3.el7.noarch N/A anaconda
rhnsd-5.0.13-10.0.1.el7.x86_64 N/A anaconda
yum-rhn-plugin-2.0.1-10.0.1.el7.noarch N/A anaconda
Continue with the system conversion? [y/n]:y
...
...
...
[02/18/2021 02:00:44] TASK - [Convert: List third-party packages] *******************************
WARNING - Only packages signed by Oracle Linux Server are to be reinstalled. Red Hat support won't be provided for the following third party packages:
Package Packager Repository
------- -------- ----------
epel-release-7-13.noarch Fedora Project N/A
convert2rhel-0.13-1.el7.noarch Fedora Project epel
Continue with the system conversion? [y/n]:y
...
...
...
[02/18/2021 02:01:57] TASK - [Convert: Subscription Manager - Subscribe system] *****************
Building subscription-manager command ...
... activation key not found, username and password required
... username detected
... password detected
Registering system by running subscription-manager command ...
...
...
...
Service Level: Self-Support
Usage:
Add-ons:
Subscription Type: Standard
Starts: 01/31/21
Ends: 01/31/22
Entitlement Type: Physical
Enter number of the chosen subscription:1
Attaching subscription with pool ID 8a85f99a774ac5420177570d75625d4e to the system ...
...
...
...
[02/18/2021 02:06:55] TASK - [Convert: Subscription Manager - Rename repositories] **************
Renamed: /etc/yum.repos.d/epel-testing.repo -> /etc/yum.repos.d/epel-testing.repo.convert2rhel_renamed
Renamed: /etc/yum.repos.d/epel.repo -> /etc/yum.repos.d/epel.repo.convert2rhel_renamed
WARNING - The tool allows rollback of any action until this point.
WARNING - By continuing all further changes on the system will need to be reverted manually by the user, if necessary.
Continue with the system conversion? [y/n]: y
[02/18/2021 02:08:38] TASK - [Convert: Import Red Hat GPG keys] *********************************
[02/18/2021 02:08:38] TASK - [Convert: Prepare kernel] ******************************************
Installing RHEL kernel ...
Loaded plugins: langpacks, product-id, search-disabled-repos, subscription-
: manager
...
...
...
[02/18/2021 02:35:32] TASK - [Final: Non-interactive mode] **************************************
For the non-interactive use of the tool, run the following command:
convert2rhel -u nagulan.selvakumar -p ***** --pool 8a85f99a774ac5420177570d75625d4e -v Server -y
WARNING - In order to boot the RHEL kernel, restart of the system is needed.
[root@linux75 software]# reboot
Step 6: VerificationNow we can verify whether system is converted and Oracle database is working without any issues.
[root@linux75 ~]# cat /etc/os-release
NAME="Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server"
VERSION="7.9 (Maipo)"
ID="rhel"
ID_LIKE="fedora"
VARIANT="Server"
VARIANT_ID="server"
VERSION_ID="7.9"
PRETTY_NAME="Red Hat Enterprise Linux"
ANSI_COLOR="0;31"
CPE_NAME="cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.9:GA:server"
HOME_URL="https://www.redhat.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugzilla.redhat.com/"
REDHAT_BUGZILLA_PRODUCT="Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7"
REDHAT_BUGZILLA_PRODUCT_VERSION=7.9
REDHAT_SUPPORT_PRODUCT="Red Hat Enterprise Linux"
REDHAT_SUPPORT_PRODUCT_VERSION="7.9"
[root@linux75 ~]#
[root@linux75 ~]# subscription-manager list
+-------------------------------------------+
Installed Product Status
+-------------------------------------------+
Product Name: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
Product ID: 69
Version: 7.9
Arch: x86_64
Status: Subscribed
Status Details:
Starts: 01/31/2021
Ends: 01/31/2022
[root@linux75 ~]#
[oracle@linux75 ~]$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL*Plus: Release 12.2.0.1.0 Production on Thu Feb 18 02:45:10 2021
Copyright (c) 1982, 2016, Oracle. All rights reserved.
Connected to an idle instance.
SQL> startup
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area 1073741824 bytes
Fixed Size 8628936 bytes
Variable Size 448791864 bytes
Database Buffers 608174080 bytes
Redo Buffers 8146944 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
SQL> select INSTANCE_NAME, HOST_NAME, VERSION from v$instance;
INSTANCE_NAME HOST_NAME VERSION
---------------- ------------------------------ -----------------
orcl linux75.selvapc.com 12.2.0.1.0
SQL>
All is good....!!! References:
Happy Converting !!! :)
