Now that your smartnode is up and running, it's advisable to ensure that the software (Ubuntu and Smartcash) is kept updated, for both optimal performance and to reduce the risk of the exploitation of security vulnerabilities. This guide will help you keep your node purring along.

1. Backup Your Smartnode

Before attempting an upgrade ensure you node is backed up. On of the easiest way to do this is to take a cold snapshot. To perform a snapshot:

• Shut down the server.
  Login to your smartnode using your SSH client (Putty or Bitvise) on Windows or Terminal on OSX. Use your smartadmin account. Once logged in type the following
  sudo shutdown

This will safely shutdown your smartdown

• Create a snapshot
  Login in to your VPS dashboard and create a snapshot. The steps vary slightly depending on your provider:

Digital Ocean
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-use-digitalocean-snapshots-to-automatically-backup-your-droplets

Vultr
https://www.vultr.com/docs/how-to-restore-a-snapshot

• Power On Server
  Once the snapshot has completed, power on the smartnode server from your VPS dashboard.

2. Perform a manual update

Login to your smartnode using your SSH client (Putty or Bitvise) on Windows or Terminal on OSX. Use your smartadmin account.

To perform the upgrade type:

sudo apt-get upgrade

You will be prompted for your password, so please enter it.

The system will then display any available updates. Press Y to confirm the updates and the software will be downloaded and installed.

If no updates are required, then the following message will be displayed.

There is no need to follow the steps below if no updates were made.

3. Reboot the server

Once the software has been installed it is recommended to restart your server. To do this type the following command:

sudo reboot

This will restart the server, and your SSH connection will be disconnected.

4. Verify Updates

Once the server is updated, it's advisable to check all is working.

• Login to your smartnode
  Use your SSH client (Putty or Bitvise) on Windows or Terminal on OSX to login. Use your smartadmin account.

• Verify smartcashd is running
  Type the following command to check that smarcashd is running.

smartcash-cli smartnode status

Ensure the the status says 'Smartnode successfully started'

• Verify Smartnode software version
  It's always best to ensure the latest software is running. To do this type the following command:
  smartcash-cli --version

This will display the software version. Ensure it is the current version.

5. Donations

If you found this article useful please feel free to donate smarts to SkbXDz8FDc6L9kGv6o4f96EAibrrGmZktu