Can anyone here please suggest how can I move from 1 server (hosting company) to another smoothly?

Bear in mind, I have data in mysql database. Please suggest the step by step.

Thanks,

Stanley
;) ;) ;)

1. Backup your web contents.
2. Dump your mysql database.
3. Signup with a new host.
4. Upload your new contents to your new host's server.
5. Upload your mysql database and test everything to make sure it works properly.
6. Put a site temporary not available message on old your site.
7. Change your name servers.
8. Wait for the domain to fully propagate.


I think that is. :)

First, I would recommend signing up with your new provider at least a week before cancelling with your previous provider.

Then, move all of your files and MySQL data. You should be able to do a 'mysqldump' that should import directly into the new server.

Once your site is all set up in the new location, initiate transfer of your domain, giving at least 2 or 3 days to allow for full propogation before closing your old account.

Now, it gets tricky when you have dynamic content such as a discussion forum... for the first day or two, some users will see your new location while others will see the old. It's usually best to close down forums and other such things on the old provider, giving a message that once they are able to see the new location, the forums (or whatever) will be back online.

A move can be done smoothly if planned out carefully; but with forums etc, it can't be done 100% transparently, but you can at least maintain a presence with little interruptions.

Hope this helps.

I also find it is a good idea to check the paths to commonly used programs, e.g. sendmail, perl, mysql, etc.

Many scripts may have these paths hardwired and if they are different then they will fail. If you are moving a large site or do not want to update the paths in your applications, then create symlinks to do the trick for you.

We once moved from a SunOS box (very old) to a linux box. This was a nightmare, so we had a symlink fest to get everything working again.

Originally posted by Jm4n

Now, it gets tricky when you have dynamic content such as a discussion forum... for the first day or two, some users will see your new location while others will see the old.

If (hopefully) you have new host not name but IP-based than
just redirect all visitors of old server to new URL using not name but IP of the new one. Than you have all your happy visitors in the same place;)

don't forget to create email that you had in the new server :D

Thanks for the replies.

Yup, I'm worry about my email account and site which has been listed "well" in search enigines. Does changing the server will effect the site ranking?


Thanks,
Stanley
:) :) :)