Moving websites from one server to another

[dansbanners]

Hi,

Someone I know is going to host a group of client's websites. And asked if I could help with moving their sites from their current host / servers to his. I told him I'll get back to him on it as to that I needed to learn more on what's involved in the project (i.e. moving files from one server to another?). Wait, as I thought about it, does it simply involve transferring files using a FTP? Like the way I normally would transferring files to the futurequest server or what? :hrmm:

Let me know. I'd appreciate it. Thanks! :smile:

[Jeff]

If it's all static content (just html and image files) then yes - should just be a very simple move.

If it's dynamic content (php, perl, etc.) then it can be a bit more work, depending on where it's moving from and where it's moving to.

If both the new server and old server are identical (same control panel and software versions) it cam be a two click operation.

However if different setups, you need to do some checking.

Are both servers running the same backend server software versions? E.g. is php the same version? Is mysql the same version? Is apache the same version? If different server software or server software versions, you'll either need to be ready to troubleshoot for a personal/small site after the move or do testing before switching over the live site for a larger site. If php is different for example you may find you're either missing functions or have overlaps between custom code and new base functions. If apache is different, things like .htaccess or rewrite directives may need to be tweaked. Also watch for the method of php security which may or may not require adjustments.

Is the directory structure the same? If not you'll need to adjust paths in script configs (and mysql logins if they're different.)

And if user submitted dynamic content is involved, you need to plan for propagation. For example, the best way I find is to copy everything static over to the new server. Adjust configs on new server to point to new server and copy configs on old server and adjust to point to new server's database. Then take old server forum/store/gallery/etc down for a few seconds, mysql dump the database and copy to new server, import on new server, and flip the config on the old server so you point the old server's scripts to the new database on the new server. Then switch the dns over. This way both the new and old server scripts are accessing the new server database so any user submitted content ends up on the new server. But for example if you're moving from or to FutureQuest this would require external mysql access, which may or may not be worth the $ depending on the nature of the site, so instead you could put in a redirect on the old server to the new site's IP address so user-submitted content isn't stranded on the old server during dns propagation.