How to upgrade CentOS 7 to AlmaLinux 8 or CloudLinux 7 to 8 with cPanel Elevate

January 16, 2025 / Servers, Hosting & Email

This guide outlines the process for upgrading from CentOS 7 to AlmaLinux 8 or CloudLinux 7 to CloudLinux 8 using the cPanel ELevate tool.

Important notes before upgrading:

  1. Review known blockers:
    Before proceeding, consult the list of Known cPanel ELevate Blockers to ensure the upgrade won’t conflict with critical software.
  2. Backup Data:
    Upgrading the operating system can result in data loss or system failures. Create full backups of your accounts and store them off-server.

Upgrade Procedure:

  1. Prepare the Server:
    1. Ensure you have reliable backups of all data.
    2. Log in to the server as the root user via SSH or use the Terminal in WHM.
    3. Run the following command to update all out-of-date packages:
      yum update
    4. Update cPanel to the latest version by running:
      /scripts/upcp
    5. Reboot the system to apply changes:
      shutdown -r now
    6. Once the server restarts, log back in as the root user.
  2. Start the ELevate Process:
    1.  Download the cPanel ELevate Script:
      Run the following commands to download and prepare the script:

      wget -O /scripts/elevate-cpanel https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cpanel/elevate/release/elevate-cpanel; 
      chmod 700 /scripts/elevate-cpanel
    2. Check for Blockers:
      1.  Identify any potential blockers by running:
        /scripts/elevate-cpanel –check
      2. Resolve Blockers:
        Address each issue listed in the output. Repeat the blocker check until no blockers remain:

        /scripts/elevate-cpanel –check

        You should see the message:
        “There is no known blockers to start the elevation process.”

    3. Perform the Upgrade:
      1.  Begin the Upgrade Process:
        Start the elevation process by running:

        /scripts/elevate-cpanel –start
        • The process may take up to 90 minutes to complete.
        • Multiple reboots will occur, and some may take longer than usual.
        • Avoid interrupting the upgrade process.
      2. Monitor Upgrade Status:
        Check the progress of the upgrade at any time using:

        /scripts/elevate-cpanel --status

Post-Upgrade Notes:

  • After the upgrade is completed, verify the system is functioning as expected.
  • Re-enable or configure any features or customizations previously in use.

Following this guide will help guarantee a smooth transition from CentOS 7 to AlmaLinux 8 or CloudLinux 7 to CloudLinux 8 with minimal disruption.

Looking to install CloudLinux OS on your CentOS server? Learn How to use cPanel to install CloudLinux OS on a CentOS server

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