Transfering data from Linux web host

[Terwax]

Ok so i have winodws 2008 r2. I am running www.terwax.com on hostgator using their VPS plan which runs on linux. The site uses joomla and few other stuff

I have VDS 1 core plan here. I wish to transfer the site exactly the way it is there. I want to stay with unmanaged machine.

So i am very noobish and i don't know anything. please help with tutorials, thanks

[Edge100x]

The first thing that you'll need to do is to install Apache + PHP + MySQL. One easy way to do this is with a package such as http://www.wampserver.com/en/.

You will then need to copy over the on-disk files. The easiest way to do this would be to use a program like WinSCP from your VDS to connect to your current webhost using SFTP/FTP, and downloading them directly to your new web root folder.

Then, export your database(s) on your old host, using a program like PHPMyAdmin. Create the same database user on your new host (also likely with PHPMyAdmin) and import those databases. It would be simplest to use the same database names.

Double-check the configuration for your site to make sure that it doesn't have specific paths that are now incorrect, and that the database name and login match what they need to be.

Almost done. Visit your site locally through http://localhost and make sure that it works properly.

Finally, update your DNS entries (the "A" records at your DNS provider) to point to the IP address of your VDS. If your current webhost handles your DNS right now, you may need to switch to using a DNS server provided by your domain name registrar, or use a free DNS service. This is something that they could help you transition to.

[Terwax]

I lost you at the DNS part

I used to have domain with melbourne, but now with hostgator. They also host my VPS machine. I have 2 IPs with them.

Also, do i have to set up my server with iis 7 before doing all of this?

Any idea if websitepanel works with mysql? I can get MSSQL (which they show how to configure in tutorial)

[Edge100x]

I lost you at the DNS part

The "A" records are something that your registrar should be able to assist with, as most registrars also provide DNS servers. If they don't, you can have the registrar point the domain to a service like www.everydns.net, and have them do it for you.

Also, do i have to set up my server with iis 7 before doing all of this?

No, generally you'll want to use a LAMP/WAMP-style stack for most webhosting.

Any idea if websitepanel works with mysql? I can get MSSQL (which they show how to configure in tutorial)

I am not familiar with that software package.

[Terwax]

so putting iis aside, i just install wamp and im good to go?

[Edge100x]

Yes, I would recommend that.

[Terwax]

I don't think that would be best idea as i kind of like the GUI of websitepanel along with the ease of accessibility.

That said, I'm having trouble setting up MySQL. I had 5.1 version before and then added 5.5. There was password conflict, thus. Anyway i can get rid of both versions and start from 0?

Also would there be conflicts as i move the other Database from linux host? Or how about i download a zip of everything and upload onto new MySQL?

[Edge100x]

If you want to be absolutely safe, you could uninstall both versions and then test with the same major version that your current host uses, but the latest release of it. For instance, if your current host uses 5.1.20, install 5.1.56. Alternately, you could run the latest version (right now, something in the 5.5 series), import your existing databases, and hope for the best; but, some conversion may be required in the process.

You should export your databases to .sql files and then import them, rather than copying over the .MYI/.MYD files. You can zip up those .sql files before transferring them, if desired.

[Terwax]

Hey John!

The thing just wasn't working out, so i opted for wamp.

If you look into my server, when i click localhost, i get some funky error saying theres misconfiguration. Could you look into it? What i basically did was copy all files from public_html over to www - where the index.html resided.

[Edge100x]

WAMP is what I suggested you use. Have you imported the databases? What is the error message that you are seeing, exactly (in the browser and in your error_log)?

[Terwax]

It says 500 internal server error.

I am going to reinstall the OS as i think that after i installed IIS and then wamp, things got messy.

MySQL server started giving bunch of error too as i made changes to some files.

Is there anyway i can install an .ISO file on the system? I would burn and install it at my computer but that doesn't work for remote server.

[Edge100x]

It says 500 internal server error.

Yes, I understand. The Apache error log will tell you more about what that means in this case.

Is there anyway i can install an .ISO file on the system? I would burn and install it at my computer but that doesn't work for remote server.

If you want to install a version of Windows, our licensing agreement with Microsoft prevents us from allowing you to install your own.

[Terwax]

oh its just microsoft expression studio 4 - legal version

Just to open some files

[Edge100x]

I'd suggest that you upload the install files from the CD and try to use those, or that you mount the ISO through software such as Daemon Tools, but I can't, because Microsoft's licensing is strict and requires that you rent their software on a monthly basis from us through the SPLA, if you need to use it on the VDS.