Server Move.

[stuarttunstall]

Having had many spells of "downtime" in recent months, to a site that I wish to promote now, I intend to transfer to another hopefully more reliable server.

At the moment my site database is still very small, so as my current host does not offer SSH access I hope PHPMyAdmin will work. The new host does allow SSH:D

First of all, I have read very good reports on the VPS servers from Servint, and need to advise them what the best configeration to set my VPS server up with.

Could you please advise the best specification/versions with regards to MySql, PHP, etc I will need.

And 2nd, will I be able to use PHPMyAdmin to back up, but SSH to restore?

Your help will be appreciated.

Stuart

[Brad.loo]

1. This depends on many factors, what type of hardware will you be using? For mySQL/php almost always run the latest stable release.

Altho php5 has been out for some time you will probbly want to stay on the latest build of php4 for now. For mySQL use the latest stable 4.x version.

2. Yes asuming phpmyadmin returns an entire back-up. Make sure you test the back-up before bringing the current box down. Backup's via phpmyadmin are known to timeout on large db's.

How large is your database currently?

[stuarttunstall]

As I have not promoted the site yet, and ooking at the stats from my vb home page, I have Data usage as 7.51MB and index at 1.66MB, so very small. Around 170 members, 470 ish posts.

This will be the new server package, just need to advise what versions of software I would like installed during set up

http://www.servint.com/vps/details.php#essen

Thanks

Stuart

[Floris]

Hello Stuart,

Can I ask you who your current hosting provider is, and how big (approx~) your MySQL database is? Hopefully your new hosting provider provides the performance you require for your online community, and is able to keep that performance up for the future too. I've read good things about ServInt, and having shell access through SSH2 is a good thing.

Any plans on how to promote your web site besides adding it to search engines and linking to it in your signature?

As you say your MySQL database is still reasonable sized you should be able to make a proper backup of the database (tables) used by vBulletin. You can do this through the Admin Control Panel > Import & Maintenance > Backup Database - feature of vBulletin. You can choose to download a copy of the .sql dump to your hard drive, or store a copy on the web server (For the latter, make sure the directory is set chmod 777 so it has proper writing permissions).

In case of the former you could edit the .sql dump stored on your hard drive and see if the last line of the file says # vBulletin database dump completed #, this could give you guarantee that the backup is done correctly. If it does not say that try it again a few times, otherwise use phpMyAdmin. Both older and most recent versions allow you to select all the tables and dump both structure and data; and some installations even allow you to .zip or .gz (compress) the dump before download so the size is smaller.

Once downloaded make sure it is complete, I believe (if I remember correctly) that the last table to structure is 'word' and the last line should be an INSERT into word query.

Tip: Before you create a backup you could run optimize and repair on your database. This will remove overhead and fix any corruption. Which is always good, of course, but it will also make the database smaller in file size.

You can restore a backup of a .sql dump various ways, through phpmyadmin and through shell (SSH2) using MySQL programs.

As you have shell access on the new server I suggest using that. This is more secure, more accurate and not limited by timeout settings or upload size settings that web servers, PHP or MySQL configurations sometime enforce.

We have a manual on-line with information on how to backup, move servers and restore. Perhaps a good read, if not only to figure out how to restore your .sql dump through the shell account.

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/moving_servers
http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/moving_servers_restore

As I have no personal experience with the virtual private server- accounts from ServInt I can't suggest the best configuration. What I can suggest is use the latest stable software releases for Apache (1.x), PHP (4.3.10 or better) and MySQL (4.x), phpMyAdmin(2.6.x) and vBulletin (3.0.7) forum software. This to avoid known security issues and bugs.

Good luck with the backing up, server move and restoring of your on-line community; And with the promotion of it.

Let me know how it goes or if you require any further information.

[stuarttunstall]

My current host is Matrixhost in the UK, on there shared package, apart from the recent string of downtime incedents, they are OK.

In addition to search engines, and links on other sites, I intend to advertise on additional forums (of allowed;)) an in enthusiast magazines.

Just need to sort a reliable/better server/package out first, because if all goes to plan, which I hope, I want things in place to cope.;)

As for database size, I have posted a few details from the vB stats page above, so as you can see still small.
Thanks for all you advise

Stuart

[Floris]

Ah, a new post. I did not see that. You must have typed it while I was typing mine. Thank you for the quick update and information.

You're free to submit your site in the vBulletin fans web site featured-forums forum. And/or request a link exchange in the vb fans site-feedback forum.

[stuarttunstall]

Thanks Floris, excellent support as usual. That is why I have just renewed my Licence to an Owned version, excellent product and support, worth the money!

Stuart

[Floris]

Thank you for the kind words/feedback and for renewing your license(s). We appriciate customer feedback as it helps us improve customer support and our products/services.

We believe strongly that giving priority to security, development and support at a professional level is what customers expect from us and helps us be a better company.

[stuarttunstall]

When I decided to "have a go" at running and setting up the site/forum, I had never used any forum software. I looked around on the internet, at the other packages around, but , based on being just a user of vB on other sites I am a member off, and not administration, I made the decision to purchase vB for my new venture.

Best thing I did! Excellent product, even better after sales support.

Keep up the good work!

[EvilAkuma]

It's better u use powweb.com more truthful

[stuarttunstall]

Thanks for all your help.:)

Right, just to confirm before I place my order, I need to specify the following software on my new VPS.

Apache - 1.3.33 or 2.0.52
MySql - 4.0.20/22
PHP - 4.3.10
XML - which comes bundled with PHP
Gd Library - 2.x
Zend Optimizer - 2.5.7
MyPHPadmin 2.6.

Or the latest stable versions of all the above?

Thanks

Stuart

[rh2004]

Stables would be a good choice,

Apache - 1.3.33 is what I have, MYSQL 4.0.23 and PHP - 4.3.10

[stuarttunstall]

A little more help for an novice please:confused:

I have read the help on moving servers, but this seem to apply only if you have SSH acces on both servers.

My current host does not allow this, which is part of the reason for the move, but my new one does. I have tried to back up my database with PHPMyadmin, and looked at the file. About half way through the text is un readable, is this correct? the last line is a "table to word" line if I remeber correct, again is this correct?.

If I back up using the vB back up utility, where does it out put this file to on my current server, and how do I restore from it?

And finally, to bring my site back on-line, do I re upload ALL my files in my FTP folder on my desktop via Dreamweaver (programme I use) to the new server, re-run the install scripts for vB and vBadvance, then restore my database?

Sorry for sounding an idiot, but I found the vB documentation not really suitabale for my situation, regarding the one way SSH access, and I have now become a little confused.

If anyone could give me an IDIOT guide to how I mus proceed with the move I would appreciate it.

Thanks for all the support.

Stuart

[Steve Machol]

he only reliable method of backing up and restoring a database is with shell access via telnet or ssh. This is because backing up with a PHP script like that in the Admin CP or phpMyAdmin can result in PHP timeouts errors and an incomplete backup file.

Backup with phpMyAdmin:
http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/maintenance_phpmyadmin_backup

Restore with phpMyAdmin:
http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/main/maintenance_phpmyadmin_restore

[stuarttunstall]

Hi Steve

Thanks for the reply, this is my problem, I will only have SSH on my new server :(

I have just downloaded a back up via the back up utility in vB, and have a database of 9.08mb, should this be ok to back up by the only method I have, which is PHPMyAdmin or vB utility, but restore with SSH? The last line confirms a complete dump, but a section of the file looks like this

P¿ñEþµc}ks¢Í¤›q“´÷Íå®íø+’r�Ç¿5#ŒÏ@ŠÁþÑ×6

Then is goes back to readable text, is this OK?

Thanks

Stuart

[Zachery]

The builtin Backup uility is NOT safe to move servers with your database.

9mb?

are AdminCP Quick Stats on ? when you login to the acp it should show you some stats one is about database size.

A vB database that is 10mb in the database, from the vB Backup will be anywhere from 11-15 depending

from ssh it could be from 7-10 depending.

[stuarttunstall]

Hi Zachery

In the admincp stats, this is what I see:

Server Type Linux
Safe Mode Data Usage 7.50 MB Moderated Users 0 Web Server Apache v2.0.46 Index Usage 1.65 MB Moderated Threads 0 PHP 4.3.8 Attachment Usage 0.65 MB Moderated Posts 0 PHP Max Post Size 8M Avatar Usage 0.01 MB Moderated Attachments 0 PHP Memory Limit 8M Profile Picture Usage 0.00 MB Moderated Events 0 MySQL 4.0.20-standard Unique Members Today 4 New Threads Today 2 MySQL Packet Size 16.00 MB New Users Today 3 New Posts Today 6

My site is still very small at the moment, what do you think? as I say I have no way of backing up by SSH, this is not allowed by my current host. I can restore by SSH though. This is why I am changing before I do promote the site

Stu

[stuarttunstall]

Zachery

What do you make of these stats, and my chances of a succesful restore using PHPMyadmin to back up, but SSH to restore?

Stu

[Zachery]

Theres a good chance the backup is complete, however untill you rstore it we won';t know.

You should restore it ssh, phpmyadmin is not suited for uploads over 2MB in most situtations.

[stuarttunstall]

Theres a good chance the backup is complete, however untill you rstore it we won';t know.

You should restore it ssh, phpmyadmin is not suited for uploads over 2MB in most situtations.

This is one of the main reasons for changing, plus my current host keeps going down. I will give it a go, I will not change my nameservers to the new server until I have sorted somthing anyway.

I take it I have to upload all the vB and vBadvance files to my new server, run the install scripts, then use SSH to restore the database?

Thanks again

Stu

[Brad.loo]

Re-running the installation scripts is not required. Download the vbulletin files from your current webserver and re-upload them to the new server (don't forget the images + .js files ;) ). Restore the database via telnet. Edit config.php if needed and attempt to open your forum via the new url, it should work right off.

Some settings will need to be changed in your admin cp. You will want to read this thread before attempting the server move:

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108274&highlight=server+move+admincp

:)

[stuarttunstall]

I would just like to thank all members and vB staff that have assisted me in this topic, I found the help and information given very useful, during my change of server.
I still have a few things to do before I take my current server offline, I can then do a back-up and restore all the current files to my new server.
Following advise given, all appears to have gone well.

Thanks again.

Stuart