Debian – Installing Debian 10, upgrade to stable later

debian

I need a new server that will be storing a lot of data, I know that Debian 10 stable will be released soon. But wanted to know if I install Debian 10 right now and start configuring the server, then once Debian 10 gets a stable release, I will be able to upgrade to the stable version easily using apt upgrade?

Best Answer

Actually you won't even have to upgrade or do anything, it will happen on its own: buster will become stable.

If you're using the code name buster rather than the archive name testing for the repositories, then there's nothing to do. If the installation used testing you can change it to buster yourself (in /etc/apt/sources.list*).

When the stable "pointer" will move from stretch (the codename for Debian 9) to buster (codename for future Debian 10), buster will become the stable version of Debian, without any intervention from your side. You'll only notice it because the rate of upgrades will probably slow down.

Note: of course, as OP and wurtel said, usual upgrades have still to be done regularly (for example with apt update + apt upgrade) for anything to happen.

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