Migrating Ubuntu 18.04 to Ubuntu 22.04

If you currently have NavVis Desktop Processing suite installed on a Ubuntu 18.04 workstation you will have to migrate to Ubuntu 22.04 in order to be able to continue using the latest features of the on-prem processing (SiteMaker).

This procedure describes the recommended actions for backing-up NavVis data on Ubuntu 18.04 before migrating to Ubuntu 22.04.

Note: Deja Dup is recommended as readily available back-up software on Ubuntu.

This procedure only describes backing up system data (e.g. home folder, Documents, Download folder, configuration files etc.).

Caution: When migrating your workstation or server from Ubuntu 18.04 to Ubuntu 22.04, we advise against utilizing the upgrading functionality integrated with Ubuntu (18.04 → 20.04 → 22.04) as it has shown to be unstable during multiple tests and did not result in a reliable OS setup.

Accordingly, we recommend a fresh Ubuntu 22.04 system installation, refer here Ubuntu Installation Links and Tips.

Pre-requisities

Large external storage drive (SSD or HDD) to back up the files and projects from your Ubuntu 18.04 workstation.

Migration procedure

1. Back up your data

Caution: In case of multiple users, each user has to setup Deja Dup from their own account. The backup will only happen if and when the user is logged on. Every user has to perform the instructions below to safely back up their own data.

Note: If you have multiple hard drives, only the drive where the Ubuntu OS is installed needs to be backed-up. During the installation of Ubuntu 22.04, only this drive will be formatted; other drives will not be affected as long as you follow the provided instructions.

1.1 Install the Deja-Dup back up software

The Deja-Dup back-up software is readily available by default on Ubuntu systems. However, as we don’t know the specifics of each customer’s computer, open the terminal and execute the following command:

sudo apt-get install deja-dup

After you press enter, you will be prompted to type your computer’s password. Confirm by pressing enter again and the software will be installed or you will be notified that the software has already been installed.

1.2 Verify that the back up medium has sufficient space

Connect the external disk for backup and open the “Disk Usage Analyzer” application on Ubuntu. Check if the external disk has been successfully detected and compare its size to how much data you intend to back up from the computer.

1.3 Set up the backup configuration

Open the Backups app on Ubuntu by clicking on the Activities banner in the top left corner of the screen and typing ‘backups’ in the search bar.
Choose the folders to back up, by clicking on the Folders to save tab in the left side panel. You can add more folders by clicking on the + icon at the bottom of the screen.
Using the same method you can add the sub-folders of the selected Folders to ignore, that you want ignored during the backup.
Setup the location where the backup will be written. In this example, we want to use a physical external disk for this operation. Click on the Storage location and select your external disc. Give the folder a name for the backup.
Navigate back to the Overview page and click on the Back Up Now… button.
You will be given an option to encrypt your backup by protecting it with a password. This is an optional step, but make sure to memorize your password if you choose to do it. Depending on the size of the data you are backing up, this process will take a bit of time. Once the process is finished, you will see a prompt Backup completed.

2 Install Ubuntu 22.04

Refer to Ubuntu Installation for details.

3 Restore your backed up data

Once the Ubuntu 22.04 is all setup and running, it is time to restore the data you have backed up in step 1. For this procedure, you will use the same backing up software that comes pre-installed on the Ubuntu OS.

Click the Restore button.

If there is any error with the restoration of a particular file, unselect it. Check the file.

Connect the external drive where the backup was stored.
Open the Backups tool in the same fashion as described in step 1.3. The application has a slightly different design due to the newer Ubuntu 22.04 OS.
In the Overview page, click on Restore From a Previous Backup.
Select the location where the backup is stored, using the same folder name specified during the backup.
Select the files you need to restore (or do crtl+A to select all), as shown below
Click the Restore button.
If there is any error with the restoration of a particular file, unselect it. Check the file.