It is highly recommended that you take an image of your existing server prior to following these instructions. Doing so will ensure that if something unexpected occurs, you will be able to restore your server from the backup image.

For instructions on creating a backup image from the Manage interface please visit:
http://www.liquidweb.com/kb/creating-storm-server-images/
http://www.liquidweb.com/kb/restoring-a-storm-server-from-an-image/

Pre-Flight Check

As of August 08, 2014, certain versions of Ubuntu 12.04 will no longer receive software updates for the kernel. Affected versions include: 12.04.2 HWE, 12.04.3 HWE, and 12.04.4 HWE.
These instructions are intended specifically and only for updating the kernel in Ubuntu 12.04 in Liquid Web US Central Zone B.
I’ll be working from a Liquid Web Core Managed Ubuntu 12.04 server, and I’ll be logged in as root.

Step 1: Check Your Kernel Version

This process should only be followed if you are running Ubuntu 12.04, and have a kernel in one of the following series: 3.5, 3.8, 3.11.

Use the following command to check your Ubuntu version:

lsb_release -a

The result of the above command should look similar to:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 12.04.5 LTS
Release: 12.04
Codename: precise

Use the following command to check your kernel version:

uname -r

The result of the above command should look similar to:

3.8.0-44-generic

Again, you are affected if your kernel is in one of the following series: 3.5, 3.8, 3.11.

You are NOT affected if your kernel is in one of the following series: 3.2, 3.13.

Step 2: Prepare for The Upgrade

If your kernel version indicates you are affected, then proceed with the following.

First, you’ll follow a simple best practice: ensuring the list of available packages is up to date before installing anything new.

aptitude -y update

Then it’s a matter of just running one command for installation via aptitude:

aptitude -y install linux-firmware linux-generic-lts-trusty linux-headers-3.13.0-32 linux-headers-3.13.0-32-generic linux-headers-generic-lts-trusty linux-image-3.13.0-32-generic linux-image-generic-lts-trusty

That’s it! You should now be ready to reboot your server. Enter reboot now then hit enter to continue!

reboot now

Step 3: Check Your Work

Log back into your server as root; you should be greeted with a message indicating:

Your Hardware Enablement Stack (HWE) is supported until April 2017.

Use the following command to check your kernel version:

uname -r

Verify the output shows you are running a 3.13.0-xx-generic kernel (such as ’3.13.0-35-generic’).

3.13.0-35-generic

Step 4: Clean-Up

Once you’ve verified that your server is running the proper kernel, remove unneeded packages by running the following command:

apt-get -y autoremove