Access Server: Access Server Upgrade Procedure on Cluster (Recommended way)

Description: If you're using Access Servers in a cluster deployment, follow this guide to upgrade your nodes safely and effectively.

Before you begin

We recommend making a backup first.

Since a cluster stores some data in a central database, use the mysqldump tool to back up this database. Once you've backed up the data stored in your central database, refer to How to back up Access Server configuration for specifics on how to back up the local configuration stored in the config_local.db file.

Example scenario

In this example, we're upgrading a cluster with two nodes.

Important Note: If the upgrade is from a significantly older version (e.g., upgrading from version 2.8.8 or older), we recommend stopping the service on all nodes before proceeding.

Upgrade steps

Step 1: Stop services on Node2

1. Connect to the console for Node2 and get root privileges.
2. Run the following command on Node2 (especially important if upgrading from an older version):

service openvpnas stop

Step 2: Upgrade Node1

1. Connect to the console for Node1 and get root privileges.
2. Upgrade Access Server:
   Ubuntu/Debian:
   

   apt update && apt -y install openvpn-as

   RHEL:
   

   yum -y install openvpn-as

   Note: The openvpnas service will start automatically after installation.
3. ✅ Verify that Node1 is functioning properly before proceeding.

Step 3: Upgrade Node2

1. Connect to the console for Node2 and get root privileges.
2. Upgrade Access Server:
   Ubuntu/Debian:
   

   apt update && apt -y install openvpn-as

   RHEL:
   

   yum -y install openvpn-as

   Note: The openvpnas service will start automatically after installation so you don't need to manually restart it.

For more info:

Cluster upgrade procedure

If you have additional questions, please submit a ticket.