Server Move

Thoughts regarding data transfer on Linux Boxes

[jj_nms]

Hodoo. What are your thoughts on this? In two weeks, I'm moving 8450 members and 12 mySQL databases from one server to a new dedicated server. Any thoughts about possible issues with rsync? What about the databases? Is there a safe way to back up the data AND the structure, and re-import them? The domain will be locked down with .htaccess for a few days, I figure DNS shouldn't take much longer than that. I'm really worried about the MySQL dbases. I haven't a clue how to work with them.. Thoughts?

[RobbieD]

The company I deal with now moved everything for me and I didn't have to worry about anything. I know what you are feeling with being worried about your data. I think if the company wants you business bad enough they will do this for you.

Maybe signing a 6- year contract with them will get you out of doing it yourself.

If you are interested in more info on a company that will do all of this for you just sticky me.

Just my thoughts on this.

[RobbieD]

The biggest advice I can give you with Hosting is CHOOSE CAREFULLY! I have had two very bad experiences and now I can finally sleep at night...

[jj_nms]

Hi Robbie, sorry for the delay. Yes, I agree, you have to be careful about what hosts you choose; that's my issue. I had started a domain on a certain host that has unbelievably high bandwidth prices. This one domain is costing me over 1200 a year, so I leased my OWN server. I’ll be saving a ton if I can do this right. I am interested in hearing of the company you’re talking about; perhaps you could drop me a sticky. Another question; what’s your opinion on shared/exclusive IP’s? I think I’ve heard that a shared IP may lower the SER on Google. What do you think?

[jamesa]

The domain will be locked down with .htaccess for a few days, I figure DNS shouldn't take much longer than that.

If I were you I'd "pre-propagate" the domains (that is if you are in control of the DNS). Don't change the IPs yet, just set the TTL (time to live) to something very short, like 5 seconds. Wait 2-3 days. If you do that the propagation period will be 5 seconds so the switch is practically instantaneous. After you do the switch and and are satisfied with everything raise the TTL back to a reasonable range like 24 hours.

I'm really worried about the MySQL dbases.

Look at mysqldump. It's in the manual at mysql.com/doc/. Basically dump the database to a file on the old server:

mysqldump -u username -p -opt databasename > databasename.sql

Create the database on the new server, and import the data and tables:

mysql -u username -p < databasename.sql

Do that for each one of your databases.

[RobbieD]

What is your budget/month for a good dedicated server. This will help to know.