Help: Upgrade from 2.6.2 (docker) to 4.2.3 Linux Install

[sharkless]

I am working with my company now that is on an old install of Netbox docker 2.6.2 and has a ton of info in there. I would like to somehow get that data moved into a new install of Netbox on Linux. What would the best upgrade path be to get that done? I am sure I can't go from 2.6.2 to 4.2.3 in one big swoop. TIA

[pheus]

Considering the official docs, you should upgrade in multiple steps:

• First, upgrade to 2.11.12
• Then, upgrade to 3.7.8
• Finally, upgrade to 4.2.3

I recommend setting up a non-Docker installation of NetBox 2.6.2, restoring the database, and then performing the upgrades step by step.

[sharkless]

I just started to dig into this and setup the new server with 2.6.2 but when I get to the upgrade.sh script I get the following.

sudo -u netbox /opt/netbox/upgrade.sh
Removing old Python packages (pip3 uninstall -r old_requirements.txt -y)...
error: externally-managed-environment

× This environment is externally managed
╰─> To install Python packages system-wide, try apt install
python3-xyz, where xyz is the package you are trying to
install.

If you wish to install a non-Debian-packaged Python package,
create a virtual environment using python3 -m venv path/to/venv.
Then use path/to/venv/bin/python and path/to/venv/bin/pip. Make
sure you have python3-full installed.

If you wish to install a non-Debian packaged Python application,
it may be easiest to use pipx install xyz, which will manage a
virtual environment for you. Make sure you have pipx installed.

See /usr/share/doc/python3.12/README.venv for more information.

note: If you believe this is a mistake, please contact your Python installation or OS distribution provider. You can override this, at the risk of breaking your Python installation or OS, by passing --break-system-packages.
hint: See PEP 668 for the detailed specification.

[pheus]

The upgrade script needs to be executed as root, not as the “netbox” system user. To ensure a smooth upgrade, I recommend following the official installation and upgrade instructions step by step.

You can find the detailed guides here:

• Installation: NetBox Installation Guide
• Upgrade: NetBox Upgrade Guide

I hope this helps

[sharkless]

Yeah I have been following these step by step and nothing is working. Right now I am just trying to get the new server up and running on a base install of 2.6.2 and that is where I am stuck. This is all on Ubuntu 24.04

[pheus]

I think Ubuntu 24.04 may be too new for NetBox 2.6.2, especially when it comes to Python and PostgreSQL compatibility.

For a smoother setup, I’d recommend using Ubuntu 18.04 or 20.04, as they better match the system requirements for that NetBox version. If you need to use a newer OS, you may have to manually install an older Python version (3.6 or 3.7) using pyenv and ensure PostgreSQL is at a compatible version (9.6 or 10).

It's also important to check the system requirements for each NetBox release before upgrading.

[pheus]

Just for reference:

NetBox Version	Python Min	Python Max	PostgreSQL Min	Redis Min	Documentation
2.6	3.5	3.7	9.4	-	Link
2.7	3.5	3.7	9.4	-	Link
2.8	3.6	3.8	9.5	3.4	Link
2.9	3.6	3.8	9.5	4.0	Link
2.10	3.6	3.8	9.6	4.0	Link
2.11	3.6	3.9	9.6	4.0	Link
3.0	3.7	3.9	9.6	4.0	Link
3.1	3.7	3.9	10	4.0	Link
3.2	3.8	3.10	10	4.0	Link
3.3	3.8	3.10	10	4.0	Link
3.4	3.8	3.10	11	4.0	Link
3.5	3.8	3.10	11	4.0	Link
3.6	3.8	3.11	12	4.0	Link
3.7	3.8	3.11	12	4.0	Link
4.0	3.10	3.12	12	4.0	Link
4.1	3.10	3.12	12	4.0	Link
4.2	3.10	3.12	13	4.0	Link

[sharkless]

Thanks for all the help and guidance. I was able to install Ubuntu 18.04 and go from 2.6.2 up to 3.7.8 then I backed that up and built a new server on 24.04 and got 4.2.4 installed and restored the db.

[pheus]

Great to hear!
Thanks for letting me know!