Here is the approach I would recommend if you want to install a specific Core Update rather than upgrading directly to the latest release.
The safest method is:
- Back up a working IPFire system (configuration and add-ons).
- Install the desired IPFire release from the corresponding ISO (or image).
- Install the required add-ons.
- Restore the backup.
There is also a manual upgrade procedure that I only use for testing purposes.
I do not recommend using this method on production systems, as it bypasses the normal Pakfire upgrade process.
It should only be used if you understand the implications and can recover the system if something goes wrong.
Example: upgrading from Core Update 184 to 185.
# Check the current Core Update
cat /opt/pakfire/db/core/mine
184
# Verify that the next Core Update package exists on the mirror.
# Example for x86_64:
# https://mirror1.ipfire.org/pakfire2/2.29-x86_64/paks/core-upgrade-2.29-185.ipfire
cd /opt/pakfire/tmp
wget https://mirror1.ipfire.org/pakfire2/2.29-x86_64/paks/core-upgrade-2.29-185.ipfire
gpg -d --batch --quiet --no-verbose --status-fd 2 --output - < core-upgrade-2.29-185.ipfire 2>/dev/null | tar x
./update.sh
# Only if update.sh completed successfully:
echo "185" > /opt/pakfire/db/core/mine
# Clean the temporary directory
cd
rm -rf /opt/pakfire/tmp/*
reboot
For other Core Updates, simply adjust the version numbers, package URL, and architecture as appropriate.