Updating RHEL to a specific version

1) Download the isos for the specific version from https://rhn.redhat.com/rhn/software/downloads/SupportedISOs.do using the rhn login.

2) Mount the CDs/DVD and copy the rpm packages in the RPMS folder in it to a particular folder like say /var/spool/RPMS/.

3) Open the file /etc/sysconfig/rhn/sources and comment the line

   #up2date default

Modify the line beginning ”# dir my-favorite-rpms ”

   dir UPDATE-RPMS /var/spool/RPMS/

Save the file and exit.

4) Run the following command

  [root@rhel ~]# up2date --configure
0.  adminAddress       ['root@localhost', '']                                
1.  debug              No                                                    
==SNIPPED==                 
19. pkgSkipList        ['kernel*', '']                                       
20. pkgsToInstallNotUp ['kernel', 'kernel-modules', 'kernel-devel', '']      
==SNIPPED==
Enter number of item to edit : 

Edit the pkgSkipList to include the kernel rpms for update.

5) Make sure the server is backed up in the current state ( A lot of softwares might not work after the update or might face reconfiguration etc, especially third party softwares ). Then run the command

   [root@rhel ~]# up2date -u

If all goes well the system will update to the version of the dvd we have put in the /var/spool/RPMS folder.

6) Reboot the server for the new kernel to be loaded. To verify the update, run

   [root@rhel ~]# cat /etc/redhat-release