2 Debian/Ubuntu

Overview

This section provides the steps required for a successful upgrade from Zabbix 5.4.x to the latest version of Zabbix 6.0.x using official Zabbix packages for Debian/Ubuntu.

While upgrading Zabbix agents is not mandatory (but recommended), Zabbix server and proxies must be of the same major version. Therefore, in a server-proxy setup, Zabbix server and all proxies have to be stopped and upgraded. Keeping proxies running during server upgrade no longer will bring any benefit as during proxy upgrade their old data will be discarded and no new data will be gathered until proxy configuration is synced with server.

Note that with SQLite database on proxies, history data from proxies before the upgrade will be lost, because SQLite database upgrade is not supported and the SQLite database file has to be manually removed. When proxy is started for the first time and the SQLite database file is missing, proxy creates it automatically.

Depending on database size the database upgrade to version 6.0 may take a long time.

The following upgrade notes are available:

You may also want to check the requirements for 6.0.

For instructions on upgrading between Zabbix 6.0.x minor versions (for example, from 6.0.1 to 6.0.3), see Upgrade between minor versions.

Upgrade procedure

1 Stop Zabbix processes

Stop Zabbix server to make sure that no new data is inserted into database.

systemctl stop zabbix-server

If upgrading Zabbix proxy, agent, or agent 2, stop these components too:

systemctl stop zabbix-proxy
       systemctl stop zabbix-agent
       systemctl stop zabbix-agent2

2 Back up the existing Zabbix database

This is a very important step. Make sure that you have a backup of your database. It will help if the upgrade procedure fails (lack of disk space, power off, any unexpected problem).

3 Back up configuration files, PHP files and Zabbix binaries

Make a backup copy of Zabbix binaries, configuration files and the PHP file directory.

Configuration files:

mkdir /opt/zabbix-backup/
       cp /etc/zabbix/zabbix_server.conf /opt/zabbix-backup/
       cp /etc/apache2/conf-enabled/zabbix.conf /opt/zabbix-backup/

PHP files and Zabbix binaries:

cp -R /usr/share/zabbix/ /opt/zabbix-backup/
       cp -R /usr/share/zabbix-* /opt/zabbix-backup/

4 Update repository configuration package

Before proceeding with the upgrade, uninstall your current repository package:

rm -Rf /etc/apt/sources.list.d/zabbix.list

Then, install the latest repository configuration package to ensure compatibility with the newest packages and to include any recent security patches or bug fixes.

On Debian 12, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/debian/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+debian12_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+debian12_all.deb

On Debian 11, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/debian/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+debian11_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+debian11_all.deb

On Debian 10, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/debian/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+debian10_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+debian10_all.deb

For older Debian versions, replace the link above with the correct one from Zabbix repository. Note, however, that packages for those versions may not include all Zabbix components. For a list of components included, see Zabbix packages.

On Ubuntu 24.04, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu24.04_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu24.04_all.deb

On Ubuntu 22.04, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu22.04_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu22.04_all.deb

On Ubuntu 20.04, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu20.04_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu20.04_all.deb

On Ubuntu 18.04, run:

wget https://repo.zabbix.com/zabbix/6.0/ubuntu/pool/main/z/zabbix-release/zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu18.04_all.deb
       dpkg -i zabbix-release_latest+ubuntu18.04_all.deb

For older Ubuntu versions, replace the link above with the correct one from Zabbix repository. Note, however, that packages for those versions may not include all Zabbix components. For a list of components included, see Zabbix packages.

You may see a prompt about the Zabbix repository configuration:

Configuration file '/etc/apt/sources.list.d/zabbix.list'
       ==> Deleted (by you or by a script) since installation.
       ==> Package distributor has shipped an updated version.
       What would you like to do about it ?  Your options are:
       Y or I  : install the package maintainer's version
       N or O  : keep your currently-installed version
       D       : show the differences between the versions
       Z       : start a shell to examine the situation
       The default action is to keep your current version.
       *** zabbix.list (Y/I/N/O/D/Z) [default=N] ?

Enter Y (or I) to install the package maintainer's version of the Zabbix repository configuration.

Then, update the repository information:

apt update

5 Upgrade Zabbix components

To upgrade Zabbix components you may run something like:

apt install --only-upgrade zabbix-server-mysql zabbix-frontend-php zabbix-agent

• If using PostgreSQL, substitute mysql with pgsql in the command.
• If upgrading the proxy, substitute server with proxy in the command.
• If upgrading the Zabbix agent 2, substitute zabbix-agent with zabbix-agent2 zabbix-agent2-plugin-* in the command.

You may see a prompt about the Zabbix server (or proxy) configuration:

Configuration file '/etc/zabbix/zabbix_server.conf'
       ==> Modified (by you or by a script) since installation.
       ==> Package distributor has shipped an updated version.
       What would you like to do about it ?  Your options are:
       Y or I  : install the package maintainer's version
       N or O  : keep your currently-installed version
       D       : show the differences between the versions
       Z       : start a shell to examine the situation
       The default action is to keep your current version.
       *** zabbix_server.conf (Y/I/N/O/D/Z) [default=N] ?

Enter the option that best fits your situation. For example, enter D to compare the current and new configuration, then decide if you want to install the package maintainer's version (Y or I).

Then, to upgrade the web frontend with Apache correctly, also run:

apt install zabbix-apache-conf

Distributions prior to Debian 10 (buster) / Ubuntu 18.04 (bionic) / Raspbian 10 (buster) do not provide PHP 7.2 or newer, which is required for Zabbix frontend 6.0. See information about installing Zabbix frontend on older distributions.

6 Review component configuration parameters

Make sure to review Upgrade notes to check if any changes in the configuration parameters are required.

7 Start Zabbix processes

Start the updated Zabbix components.

systemctl start zabbix-server
       systemctl start zabbix-proxy
       systemctl start zabbix-agent
       systemctl start zabbix-agent2

8 Clear web browser cookies and cache

After the upgrade you may need to clear web browser cookies and web browser cache for the Zabbix web interface to work properly.

Upgrade between minor versions

It is possible to upgrade between Zabbix 6.0.x minor versions (for example, from 6.0.1 to 6.0.3).

First, update the repository information:

apt update

Then, to upgrade Zabbix minor version, please run:

apt install --only-upgrade 'zabbix*'

To upgrade Zabbix server minor version only, please run:

apt install --only-upgrade 'zabbix-server*'

To upgrade Zabbix agent minor version only, please run:

apt install --only-upgrade 'zabbix-agent*'

or, for Zabbix agent 2:

apt install --only-upgrade 'zabbix-agent2*'