Changing Python Versions

Applies to: Diskover 2.5.x+ (worker and web hosts)
Platforms: RHEL/Rocky 8-10, Ubuntu/Debian 22/24

Overview

Diskover uses a dedicated Python virtual environment at /opt/python-venv-diskover/ for all of its Python applications (Diskoverd, Diskover Admin, Celery, etc.). This keeps Diskover's Python runtime and dependencies isolated from the system Python, which avoids conflicts with OS packages and makes version changes straightforward.

When you need to change the Python version used by Diskover — for example, to move from Python 3.11 to 3.12 — you install the new Python, recreate the virtual environment, and reinstall Diskover's pip dependencies into it.

Note: Diskover also offers Ansible playbooks that handle Python version selection and venv creation automatically. If you'd like to use Ansible to manage this process, reach out to the Diskover team for assistance.

Manually Changing the Python Version

Follow the steps below to change the Python version on an existing Diskover host.

Step 1: Install the New Python Version

Replace 3.XX with your target version (e.g., 3.11, 3.12).

RHEL/Rocky:

dnf install python3.XX python3.XX-devel gcc

Ubuntu/Debian:

apt install python3.XX python3.XX-dev python3-venv gcc

Verify the installation:

python3.XX --version

You should see output like Python 3.XX.x.

Step 2: Remove the Existing Virtual Environment

Back up the existing venv (optional but recommended), then remove it:

cp -a /opt/python-venv-diskover /opt/python-venv-diskover.$(date +%Y%m%d)
rm -rf /opt/python-venv-diskover

Step 3: Create a New Virtual Environment

Create the venv using the new Python version:

python3.XX -m venv /opt/python-venv-diskover

Verify the venv is using the correct Python:

/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin/python3 --version

This should show the new Python version.

Step 4: Reinstall Diskover pip Dependencies

Reinstall the Python packages required by each Diskover component on this host.

Worker host (diskoverd):

/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin/pip install -r /opt/diskover/requirements.txt

Web host (Diskover Admin):

/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin/pip install -r /var/www/diskover-admin/etc/requirements.txt

Step 5: Verify the PATH Configuration

Diskover adds the venv to the system PATH via /etc/profile.d/diskover-venv.sh so users do not need to activate the venv each time the user logs into the shell. Confirm this file exists and contains:

cat /etc/profile.d/diskover-venv.sh

Expected output:

# Add Diskover venv to PATH for CLI usage
export PATH="/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin:$PATH"

If this file is missing, create it:

cat > /etc/profile.d/diskover-venv.sh << 'EOF'
# Add Diskover venv to PATH for CLI usage
export PATH="/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin:$PATH"
EOF
chmod 0644 /etc/profile.d/diskover-venv.sh

Reload the profile to pick up the change in your current session:

source /etc/profile.d/diskover-venv.sh

You should now see the python venv path listed:

which python3
/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin/python3

Step 6: Restart Diskover Services

Restart the services on this host so they pick up the new Python environment:

Worker host:

systemctl restart diskoverd
systemctl restart celery

Web host:

systemctl restart diskover-admin

Step 7: Verify

Confirm the services are running with the new Python version:

systemctl status diskoverd
/opt/python-venv-diskover/bin/python3 --version

Check the Diskover Admin web UI and Task Panel > Workers tab to confirm the worker is online.

Troubleshooting

Support

• https://support.diskoverdata.com