Never changed servers before

[TracyIsland]

Hi -

How complicated is it to change from a hosting service to a dedicated server?

We have all kinds of different installations for our website:

static pages, 4images, joomla, phplist, ip board, wordpress ...

The proposed new server has sent us a migration document but just so nervous ...

Don't want to crash our website!

Thanks,

Brian

[Sefket]

Very easy. Extract your backup files, log into FTP on your new account, and drag the files from your desktop into there. Put it the same way it was with your old account and set up your databases in your cPanel. You also need to update your Name Servers so the IP would face the new server. I highly recommend you to first put your files back into FTP then update your Name Servers so that way people won't see a index full of your files.

[TracyIsland]

I highly recommend you to first put your files back into FTP then update your Name Servers so that way people won't see a index full of your files.

Thanks for reply!!! I know what you mean by people seeing an index full of files because I have seen it before but ... what do you mean by "put your files back into FTP?"

Thanks so much for assist.

- Brian

[Sefket]

Like, when you double click public_html, all your files will show up that people will see when you load your website. So basically drag public_html into your FTP that is if you didnt put files into your FTP yet. You're welcome!

[steve00]

I could be wrong (as never moved files to new server myself) but believe you can use cPanel to move the files from one server to another ??

Hopefully someone else with more knowledge on that can give better info

[Sefket]

I could be wrong (as never moved files to new server myself) but believe you can use cPanel to move the files from one server to another ??

Hopefully someone else with more knowledge on that can give better info

Yes, you can. I forgot to mention this. but I think it depends on the companies. I don't know what server he was using. You need to transfer files with a least a VPS I think since you need WHM access.

[Connor T]

[*]Extract all databases [*]Put old site in read-only mode [*]Start import of databases to new site [*]Copy entire public_html structure to computer / directly to other server via FTP (if shell access) [*]Fix all config files to point to new database. [*]Wait for DNS progation. [*]Put a link on the old site that says, "Your DNS hasn't updated yet. Try running "ipconfig flushdns" or switch to Google DNS" [*]Re-open the new site out of Read-Only mode.

[BlackNovaDesigns]

Does cPanel not allow you to do a full Backup of everything from Cpanel? unless its an optional extra, cause im sure i can do a full backup of my ENTIRE account..
Then that will create a backup on the account, download that, then re-upload to new server and use cpanel to restore it, and all should be identical from when backed up.

Might be mistaken as i do it manually normally.

[raindog308]

Just to be clear...you're talking about moving from non-IPS shared hosting to non-IPS dedicated server?

I ask because if you're moving from IPS hosting to a (non-IPS) dedicated server, I don't think you can just backup and copy, as the files on IPS hosting are encoded. I could be wrong, though.

I'd also point out that you can test the move ahead of time by doing this:

- go through the move steps as outlined above but don't shut down your old site or change nameservers
- change your local hosts file to point to your new IP (c:windowssystem32driversetchosts - /etc/hosts on Linux - no idea for Mac). If your new IP is 10.50.60.72, create an alias there to point www.yoursite.com to 10.50.60.72

Then you can browse the new site and check it out and to your computer (only) it will appear that www.yoursite.com is at 10.50.60.72, while the rest of the world is still pointed at your old site. Go through the process and test it out to make sure it works, then redo for real.

[Rimi]

I ask because if you're moving from IPS hosting to a (non-IPS) dedicated server, I don't think you can just backup and copy, as the files on IPS hosting are encoded. I could be wrong, though.

Nope, that's correct.

[Sefket]

Just to be clear...you're talking about moving from non-IPS shared hosting to non-IPS dedicated server?

I ask because if you're moving from IPS hosting to a (non-IPS) dedicated server, I don't think you can just backup and copy, as the files on IPS hosting are encoded. I could be wrong, though.

I'd also point out that you can test the move ahead of time by doing this:

- go through the move steps as outlined above but don't shut down your old site or change nameservers

- change your local hosts file to point to your new IP (c:windowssystem32driversetchosts - /etc/hosts on Linux - no idea for Mac). If your new IP is 10.50.60.72, create an alias there to point www.yoursite.com to 10.50.60.72

Then you can browse the new site and check it out and to your computer (only) it will appear that www.yoursite.com is at 10.50.60.72, while the rest of the world is still pointed at your old site. Go through the process and test it out to make sure it works, then redo for real.

Only things that are encoded are the add-ons. I'm 99% sure about that.

[Connor T]

Only things that are encoded are the add-ons. I'm 99% sure about that.

I'm sure the kernel files are encoded. So you need to buy self-hosted license. Do the same process, just re-upload fresh IPB 3.3 after convert to replace encoded files with non-encoded files.

[TracyIsland]

[list=1] [*]Extract all databases

[*]Put old site in read-only mode

[*]Start import of databases to new site

[*]Copy entire public_html structure to computer / directly to other server via FTP (if shell access)

[*]Fix all config files to point to new database.

[*]Wait for DNS progation.

[*]Put a link on the old site that says, "Your DNS hasn't updated yet. Try running "ipconfig flushdns" or switch to Google DNS"

[*]Re-open the new site out of Read-Only mode.

[/list]

Just to be clear...you're talking about moving from non-IPS shared hosting to non-IPS dedicated server?

I ask because if you're moving from IPS hosting to a (non-IPS) dedicated server, I don't think you can just backup and copy, as the files on IPS hosting are encoded. I could be wrong, though.

I'd also point out that you can test the move ahead of time by doing this:

- go through the move steps as outlined above but don't shut down your old site or change nameservers

- change your local hosts file to point to your new IP (c:windowssystem32driversetchosts - /etc/hosts on Linux - no idea for Mac). If your new IP is 10.50.60.72, create an alias there to point www.yoursite.com to 10.50.60.72

Then you can browse the new site and check it out and to your computer (only) it will appear that www.yoursite.com is at 10.50.60.72, while the rest of the world is still pointed at your old site. Go through the process and test it out to make sure it works, then redo for real.

@Connor T: thanks for the clear and concise steps. That's a big help.

@raindog308: I'm moving from a non-ips shared hosting service with cPanel to a non-ips dedicated-virtual server with Plesk 10 and choosing a provisioning of 100gb storage, 2gb ram, and 2tb of network transfer

apparently there is a plesk migration manager service but it requires that I have root access to my old server, which I do not have so I have to follow Connor T's instructions and again, raindog308's explanation is a lot more clear about the preview function than what was explained to me with the KnowledgeBase article they provided.

I think my biggest concern outside of somehow screwing up my website is security. With the news about LinkedIn today, I am concerned that my new 'home' won't have security in place because that is a customer server management responsibility. They did clarify that there is a firewall in place but they recommended uploading fail2ban and using good passwords.

To all, thank you for your words of advice and assist!

[Dmacleo]

hard part is making sure all files are moved, if on slow internet like here (no options, one provider) it can be a long process if you have to do it by local ftp.
its not as difficult as you would think, just follow common sense and its fine usually.

[Cmarenburg]

one quicker way to do it would be zip all folders/files into one zip such as mysite.zip then use wget yourdoamin.com/path/to/zip/file and your server would download the zip file then just un-compress it. I know how to do this on ubuntu. Can't say i know how to do it on any other Linux distro though

[TracyIsland]

okay, well this may be a 3.14 legacy issue ... but I am trying to stay in an upbeat mood none the less.

first you all get fined $200 and miss a turn!

yes, Collin's advice about back up, download, upload, and fix all the config files were spot on ... but somehow ... even though the board does work, there are some major, major errors ... :sad: However, in defense of all your kind words and gestures of help, I want to add that my path has changed from a home/xxxx/public_html to a var/www/vhosts/comain.com/httpdocs

1. the portal has stopped working altogether. the only thing I see is Michael's global message. [edit: portal now is working; no idea why it had an initial dead battery]

2. in the acp, on the dashboard, there are three nasty messages:

a.
FURL Cache Out Of Date

The rule definitions for the System application may be out of date. Rebuild FURL Cache

b.
Minify Disabled

You have Minify switched on in your settings but IP.Board cannot write to /cache/tmp. Please check permissions on that directory. If this message persists, please turn off minify.

c.
Your profile photo directory is not writable

Please check the permissions on the profile photo directory '/var/www/vhosts/domain.com/httpdocs/forum/uploads/profile/' and make sure that it is writable.


So for $400 in MF Global stock certificates and a get out of jail free pass, any ideas how to fix all this? :smile:

Thanks!!!

- Brian

[Dmacleo]

first need to set chmod permissions on folders, items outlined here:

then you can recache everything and rebuild furls. minify and other warnings will be ok then.
pathing change is just due to how different software (cpanel, direcadmin, xpanel, etc) handle and place home directories.

[TracyIsland]

@Dmacleo: thanks for the supportive words. chmod accomplished right away, /cache/tmp and /uploads/profile and will do the rebuild furl cache soon.

they have a site preview feature which is very useful but dangerous if you're using it before the first cup of coffee ... since it makes the site appear on your local host instead of the real site ... and I am talking about other, sitewide issues ...

all in all, I am just about done. my download speeds on cable vary between 10 - 20 mb/s but the real challenge has been the upload speeds @ 1 mb/s ... some of the files I have copied were upwards of 2gb!

[Dmacleo]

LOL been there, the ONLY broadband in town maxes at 5 down .6 up...ugh LOL

[marklcfc]

[list=1] [*]Copy entire public_html structure to computer / directly to other server via FTP (if shell access)

[/list]

Does anyone have SSH code for this?

I have always spent a long time downloading all the files and then uploading those files to the new server.

[raindog308]

Does anyone have SSH code for this?

Something like this...assuming you're on your new server:

scp -rvp your_login@someserver.yourolddomain.com:/home/your_old_server_login/public_html ~

Or instead of "~" you could put /home/your_new_server_login