I am using unattended-upgrades across multiple servers. I would like package updates to be rolled out gradually, either randomly or to a subset of test/staging machines first. Is there a way to do that for APT on Ubuntu?

An obvious option is to set some machines to update on Monday and the others to update on Wednesday, but that only gives me only weekly updates…

The goal of course is to avoid a Crowdstrike-like situation on my Ubuntu machines.

edit: For example. An updated openssh-server comes out. One fifth of the machines updates that day, another fifth updates the next day, and the rest updates 3 days later.

  • GravitySpoiledEnglish
    4·
    4 months ago

    You also roll back package versions. I’m not sure what problems could arise.

    • remramOP
      3·
      4 months ago

      I can roll back with APT too, my question is how to do the staggered rollout.

      • GravitySpoiledEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        You have to reboot for an image update. Hence, you can update the computers at different times and days.

        • remramOP
          3·
          4 months ago

          This doesn’t seem to enhance my workflow at all. Seems I now would have to reboot, and I still need to find a separate tool to coordinate/stagger updates, like I do now. Or did I miss something?

      • GravitySpoiledEnglish
        11·
        4 months ago

        If the os works always (atomic image based distro), and the docker container work, and both can roll back easily. What else could go wrong?

        Don’t overthink it :)

        • remramOP
          1·
          4 months ago

          I am not sure what you are taking about. My question is about APT.