This is the future we were promised, dumb machines doing work 24/7. I'd change it to Debian but you stick with whatever works best for you.
this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2024
122 points (100.0% liked)
Linux
1253 readers
66 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
I have moved on to LMDE for everything other than my laptop, but I don't feel like rebuilding the thing. I just blew out the dust and in a few minutes it will be back up and running in the basement.
You can update and change repos.
But I hope you use kernel livepatching, because that uptime is scary. You missed like 50 kernel updates
I am pretty sure the kernel is up to date, but I am not 100% sure since I haven't checked that the process didn't fail at some point. This is a tertiary backup system, super low priority, hosting movies, music, and VeraCrypt drives internally behind multiple layers of network security and isolated in the DMZ where I keep stuff I want isolated from my network, like SmartTVs, IOT crap, and gaming consoles. But since I am working on it now, I will double check.
EDIT: 6.9.3, which is a little behind, but I'm ok with that.
The LTS kernel is still version 6.6, till 12/2026, so you're up to date. I wouldn't worry.
Crazy how did it update without a reboot?
Pop_OS was updated regularly. The kernel version changed to the latest one once it booted up in the new location. It was probably live on 6.0.9 before the move since that was the last one I recorded.
Oh 6.0.9 ! I thought 6.9. 6.0.x is extremely old
But as you said the machine is only with all your shady IOT devices that makes it kinda better I guess
It was 6.9.3 once I booted after the move. I assume it had been updated but waiting for a reboot to use the new kernel. Until I rebooted, it was probably still running on the 6.0.9 image.
If uptime and having the latest kernel ever becomes something I care about for this server, I might switch to Ubuntu Pro. It is free for personal use and it includes kernel livepatching. I can't imagine why I would need it for this use case though.
Livepatching is pretty cool.
But arent your services autostarting? Why not configure apt-automatic to do a reboot on kernel updates?
I am a control freak when it comes to my systems. I don't like them doing their thing on their own schedule. The network servers (Thinkpad Thinstation and a Raspberry Pi) controlling access, DNS, etc. are updated and rebooted regularly but in a staggered order so that my network is never down. One kicks off at 05:01 and the other at 05:31. Five in the morning is normally the time when I can't function, so it is the best time for a break. Not even my insomnia can withstand 5AM.
Well, you're already on a Debian based distro and not Ubuntu. Let it do it's thing in the most boring way :D
uptime of 840 days
This always makes me wince. I don't think high uptimes should be celebrated. Has your kernel ever been patched or the services running restarted? Just installing the updates is not enough to secure your system you need to be running that new code as well.
Also, I get very nervous about touching those systems. You have no clue what state it is in. I have seen far too many large uptime server have their power go some day and are never able to boot again or don't boot all the services back up as someone forgot to enable the service.
Nop, rather see them rebooted regularly at a non critical time so we know they will come back up. Or even better have a HA setup.
You can't allow to lose sight of context. In general I agree with you, but this is not a production server or even a system exposed to the Internet. This is an internal server hosting my stuff to me and only accessible via a VPN server that is on a different machine that is updated regularly who in turn is behind secure physical network devices with their own rules. This machine only job was to be available when called upon and it always has been. It does not need a kernel update although it could use one. All software on it is up to date and all security patches are updated regularly. If by any chance the system was fully compromised, all the culprit would get are tertiary copies of my movies and music collections, which they can enjoy, and a bunch of tertiary copies of my VeraCrypt virtual drives in which I replicate my backups. Again, context.
@JoMiran
>I am afraid to open the box up though. Those dust bunnies must be huge.
Yeah probably, but it's necessary to remove them if you want your machine to stay in good conditions for the next years, even more important when it's running 24/7.
I know, that's why I'm opening it and why it is going to the basement. It's basically a concrete bunker at a constant 50°f with no windows and just a filtered radon extraction unit. There are cans sitting there since the COVID lockdown that still have no dust on them. The closet it is in now has carpet. Enough said.
EDIT: It was shockingly clean. Some dust and cobwebs, but very little.
At a 50°F ambient temperature the fan probably doesn't have to move all too much air all too often.
That's the idea, but that's where it is going. It was in the upstairs closet where the temps are kept at human comfort levels (68-78).
I've read that human skin particles make up a significant portion of household dust.
.... Are you a robot?
You ever watch Gattaca? If so, do you remember Ethan Hawke's character taking a "shower"? That's basically me.
Hell yeah! It'll be super satisfying to give your system a good cleaning and upgrade. Enjoy!
You don't need cron for updates as it is built in. Just flip the toggle and set a time.
I am that old. I like to know exactly what is happening and when.