Prerequisite: Change the DNS TTL values on the old server for your forums domain to 600 or 900 for faster DNS cutover. This should be done at least 24 hours in advance of the move.
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Moving a Web site with large databases is a pain. In our case we were moving a forum to a new server. Both servers run cPanel and WHM on the back end. A first effort to move the entire site with the built-in WHM site-moving tool failed because of the large database attached to the account. Backing up the database was not a problem, but using an automated process to restore just timed out. The next thing we tried was generating a full backup from cPanel for the domain, moving the file over and restoring it from backup via WHM. The same problem appeared and the process failed due to time-out issues. But this time the domain except for the database was fully restored. All file permissions, folder settings, DNS and other settings were ready to go. The database itself was created, but of course incomplete.
We decided to use a different approach. Instead of working with a database dump we decided to copy the database files themselves. Here are the steps that worked for us:
On the old Server
1) Close the forums 2) Stop MySQL (logged in as root to the server)
service mysql stop
3) Switch to the location of all MySQL databases. Copy the database files to your backup directory.
cd /var/lib/mysql cp -r /username_databasename /username_databasename
4) Restart MySQL
service mysql start
5) Switch to your backup directory
cd /backup
6) TAR the database directory for better transfer to the new server
13) Reset permissions to make sure the database files are accessible by MySQL
chown mysql username_databasename chgrp mysql username_databasename
14) Restart MySQL
service mysql start
You are pretty much done at this point. Test the forum via IP address for functionality. Open the forum when everything looks good. On the old server change the IP address in DNS to point to the new server. Then change the DNS server information on the registry level to point to the DNS servers of the new server. Within 30 minutes the domain name should point to the new server where the forum is hosted. Do not delete the old domain account from the old server just yet. I recommend leaving it online for another 48 hours at least to make sure everyone finds the new server.
Your mileage might vary, but for us this worked just fine when moving a forum with a 1 GB database. Please make sure you have appropriate access to both servers and that you are comfortable in executing the steps described below. Be aware that stopping MySQL will affect all Web sites on a server that use MySQL. And, of course, use the help of an experienced administrator if needed.
