Upgrading Jenkins Core

1. Introduction

Upgrading Jenkins Core is essential to leverage new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. This lesson outlines the necessary steps and best practices for a successful upgrade.

2. Pre-requisites

Before proceeding with the upgrade, ensure the following:

Backup your Jenkins home directory.
Check the compatibility of plugins with the new Jenkins version.
Ensure adequate system resources (CPU, RAM, Disk Space).

3. Upgrade Process

Follow these steps to upgrade Jenkins Core:

Identify the current Jenkins version using the Manage Jenkins -> System Information page.
Download the latest Jenkins WAR file from the official Jenkins website.

Note: Make sure to check the release notes for breaking changes.

Stop the Jenkins service. You can do this using the command:

sudo systemctl stop jenkins

Replace the old WAR file with the new one:

sudo cp jenkins.war /usr/share/jenkins/jenkins.war

Start the Jenkins service again:

sudo systemctl start jenkins

Verify the upgrade by accessing the Jenkins web interface and checking the version.

4. Best Practices

Always perform upgrades in a staging environment before applying them in production.
Stay updated with Jenkins community forums for any known issues with new versions.
Regularly review and update your plugins after upgrading Jenkins.

5. FAQ

What should I do if the upgrade fails?

If the upgrade fails, restore the backup of your Jenkins home directory and analyze the logs for error messages.

How can I check for plugin compatibility?

Visit the Jenkins plugin site to check for compatibility or use the Manage Jenkins -> Manage Plugins option.

Is there a way to automate Jenkins upgrades?

You can automate Jenkins upgrades using scripts, but ensure to test them thoroughly.