16_Inplace_Vs_Outofplace_Upgrade - Nirvan-Pandey/Azure_DOC GitHub Wiki

16_1: Introduction

When upgrading software systems, understanding the difference between in-place and out-of-place upgrades is crucial. Each method has unique benefits and drawbacks depending on the context, system requirements, and risk tolerance.

16_2: Definitions

  • In-Place Upgrade: This upgrade method installs the new version directly over the existing system on the same hardware and file structure.

  • Out-of-Place Upgrade: This method installs the new version on separate hardware or a different environment, allowing for parallel setup.

16_3: Comparison Table

Aspect In-Place Upgrade Out-of-Place Upgrade
Definition Replaces the current version on the same system Installs new version in a separate environment
System Downtime Higher downtime required Lower downtime, can be prepared in advance
Rollback Difficult and risky Easier, revert to the old environment
Risk Level Higher (affects current system directly) Lower (no change to current system until ready)
Resource Requirement Lower (no extra system needed) Higher (needs separate environment/hardware)
Data Migration Not usually required Required (move data to the new system)
Speed of Upgrade Faster to execute Slower due to setup and data migration
Common Use Cases Minor updates, patches Major upgrades, mission-critical systems

16_4: When to Use Each Method

In-Place Upgrade:

  • Useful for minor software or OS patches.

  • Environments where resource constraints exist.

  • Situations where rollback is unlikely to be needed.

Out-of-Place Upgrade:

  • Recommended for mission-critical applications.

  • Major upgrades (e.g., database engine upgrades).

  • Environments requiring high availability and rollback capability.

16_5: Examples

Example 1 – Operating System Upgrade

In-Place: Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 on the same PC.

Out-of-Place: Installing Windows 11 on a new partition or different PC.

Example 2 – Database Migration

In-Place: Upgrading Oracle 12c to 19c on the same instance.

Out-of-Place: Installing Oracle 19c on a new server and migrating data.

Example 3 – Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

In-Place: Updating a compute instance’s OS or database version directly on the existing virtual machine.

Out-of-Place: Creating a new compute instance or database in OCI with the upgraded version and migrating apps/data.

Example 4 – Azure Cloud Services

In-Place: Performing an OS or software upgrade on an existing Azure VM.

Out-of-Place: Deploying a new VM or Azure service with updated configurations, then migrating services and users.

Example 5 – Amazon Web Services (AWS)

In-Place: Upgrading a running EC2 instance’s OS or RDS database version directly.

Out-of-Place: Launching a new EC2 or RDS instance with updated settings, and then migrating workloads.

Example 6 – Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

In-Place: Performing updates on a running GCE VM or managed database service like Cloud SQL.

Out-of-Place: Creating a new GCE instance or Cloud SQL environment with the latest version and switching traffic after migration.

16_6: Summary

Choosing between in-place and out-of-place upgrades depends on your system's criticality, your rollback requirements, and available resources. Understanding both approaches ensures smoother upgrades with minimal disruption and maximum safety.

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