Table of Contents
Introduction
Upgrading Freeside is needed to implement bug fixes and new features, you can check on what has been added since your last upgrade by reviewing the Freeside git logs at http://git.freeside.biz/gitweb/?p=freeside.git
Preparation
Before running the Freeside Upgrade a little preparation is needed
Record Freeside and RT Version Numbers
- Open the Freeside UI
- Hover over the Help Menu
- Record the Freeside and RT Version numbers

Stop Apache and Freeside Services
sudo systemctl stop apache2; sudo /etc/init.d/freeside stop
Disable any cron jobs for the freeside user
sudo -u freeside crontab -e
Place a # at the beginning of any jobs and save the file
Backup Freeside
If Freeside is on a virtual or container platform then take a snapshot. A backup of the database should be taken in any situation
sudo -u freeside pg_dump -Fc freeside >~/freeside{insert date}.Pg
If upgrading from a package that is no longer in the repositories then copy the packages from your apt cache
cp /var/cache/apt/archives/freeside* .
Remove any holds on the Freeside packages
sudo apt-mark unhold freeside-*
Run the Freeside Upgrade
This is the home stretch and will bring freeside and RT up to date with the current release
Update Debian Packages
sudo apt update; sudo apt upgrade
Hold Freeside packages from being upgraded
Mark freeside packages as held to make sure they do not get updated during regular system maintenance
sudo apt-mark hold freeside-*
Upgrade the Freeside Database
sudo -u freeside freeside-upgrade {your freeside username}
Upgrade RT
sudo -u freeside /opt/rt3/sbin/rt-setup-database --dba freeside --prompt-for-dba-password --action upgrade
When prompted for the version of RT to upgrade from enter the version number that was recorded earlier.
If you have never updated the RT portion of your Freeside server but you have updated Freeside, you will most likely need to enter a version much earlier than what you recorded earlier. This is beyond the scope of this document but you can contact us to assist with your upgrades.
Bring Apache and Freeside back online
Now that Freeside and RT are upgraded the services need to be restarted and cron jobs activated
Start Apache and Freeside services
sudo systemctl start apache2; sudo /etc/init.d/freeside start
Log back into the Freeside UI and check that everything comes up without errors
Enable Cron jobs for freeside
Edit the freeside users crontab and un-comment the jobs that were disabled earlier