Spruell, Darren-Perot wrote:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
When updating the kernel to CURRENT (in the case, 3.9), do I
have to update
ports and already installed packages?
I think the OP is using words in non-standard ways.
The kernel is one file, "/bsd".
Ports and packages are the add-on stuff.
Missing from the question is the userland -- the utilities and such that
makes OpenBSD (or any OS) go.
OpenBSD is the combination of the userland and kernel. I'm going to
guess that's what the OP meant by "kernel".
Packages and ports should stay in sync with the rest of the userland. The OS
should stay in synch with the kernel since there are important dependencies
on kernel interfaces.
So I would guess if you want to run CURRENT kernel, you will be best served
running CURRENT userland as well, and subsequently ports will need to follow
CURRENT as well.
Maybe you should consider a snapshot.
(hoping I'm not misleading on this...)
Technically, you are somewhat wrong, practically, you are mostly correct. :)
The kernel and userland must be kept in sync for a fully functioning
system (though a brief "new kernel, old userland" usually works for the
middle of the remote upgrade process). Newly installed packages must
match the rest of the OS. Packages built from ports must be from a
ports tree that matches the OS.
HOWEVER... as the upgrade process does not remove the old library files,
old packages will (usually) continue to run on an UPGRADED system
(however, don't try to install an old package on a newly-installed (not
upgraded) system). So, technically, you are wrong, you could keep using
old ports on new systems.
Practically, you are right. Try to live with that concept, you run into
at least a couple issues:
* Dependancies: new packages may be dependent upon newer versions of
packages you already have installed. Might as well upgrade them on your
schedule.
* Security: third party software seems to have a non-trivial rate of
security issues. You probably want to keep it up to date. You will
probably have more reason to worry about updating the apps than the OS
itself.
As long as you are updating the system, just update the ports and packages.
And yes, always use a snapshot (or release, or other prepared binary).
Compiling is for customizing (which you probably don't need to do) or
for -stable. Upgrading is done using binaries.
Nick.
