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webling said:
You mention "migrating" your data base, if you are simply referring to moving it to another server that's not a difficult process. It's a matter of zipping the database then installing it at a new location. You should know how to zip your database anyway for backup. If you have PhPMyAdmin on your site this should not be a difficult process. If you would like me to list the steps I will be glad to.
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I do believe I have PhPMyAdmin in my cPanel, and I would be ever so grateful for you to list the steps. I've attempted it before, then got scared and stopped because I felt like I was going to screw something up. I think I must have backed it up before, but I certainly would not know how to set up a new DB and restore it. Well, I guess I would know how to set it up in Fantastico, but maybe not how to actually migrate and restore it.

The other files and the DNS numbers, are no big deal to me, I've done that plenty of times. Yes, it's those pesky databases that scare the crap out of me!:shocked::uhh::shaky::confused: ;)
 
Hello Bigcaat, Here are the steps to backup your wordpress database via phpMyAdmin.

Step 1 : Go to your cPanel >> phpMyAdmin
Step 2 : You will see tabs such as Databases, SQL, Status, Variables, Charset, etc... Simply click on Databases
Step 3 : You will see number of databases, click the correct database you want to backup.
Step 4 : After clicking on the database, page will get reload and show the tabs Structure, SQL, Search, Query, Export, Import and Operations.
Step 5 : Now click on the tab "Export".
Step 6 : It will show you the Dump (schema) of database. Now click on "select all" and check "SQL" below that box.
Step 7 : Select the "Add Drop Table" is unchecked. Select the 4 options under Structure.
Step 8 : Now come down to the "Data" and check all the four options except "Use ignore inserts".
Step 9 : Select the export type "Insert" from the drop down menu.
Step 10 : Check the "Save as file" and give a name to the file name or leave as it is.
Step 11 : You can set the compression mode as None, Zipped or gZipped the way you want.

If you click None, the file extension will be file_name.sql, if you select zipped option the fill will save as file_name.sql.zip or if you select gzipped, the file will be downloaded as file_name.sql.gz

Wait until the file completely gets downloaded. Once it is downloaded you can save it in any directory you want.
 
bigcaat,

I'm going to give you simple instructions based on logging into one single database. Nickgrnt gave you instructions for logging into phpMyAdmin and accessing several databases, so take which one works best for you.

After you open phpMyAdmin you will see several links, click on Export

After the new page loads you will see a box with the name of your database there. Make sure you left click on that name so that it is highlighted. Below that make sure that SQL is checked.

Now scroll down to the bottom and check the box next to "Save as file"

Next to "File name template" you can change that name to anything you want, or you may leave it as it is and do nothing to it.

Below that you have the option to save it as an open text file (not recommended due to the size) or you may save it as a a compressed archive in either .zip or .gz format. Depending on how you wish to inflate it on the server you are moving it to will determine which format to save it to.

Since linux has a zip utility now you may choose to save it as a zipped file, so click on that box if this is what you want to do. Otherwise click on the gzipped box. Then simply click on the Go button in the lower right corner. You will then be prompted with a download, if you are using windows xp simply click on "Save as" and then save the file where you want to on your computer. If you are using windows 7 you won't have a "save as" option, so just click on Save and windows explorer will open to your download directory, if you want to choose another directory you can do so then and save the file there.

Let me know if anything is unclear to you or I can assist you in any way.
 
Thank you so much for this. Definitely, I have not done that before. So, if I have the intent on migrating it, I want to save it as zipped, right?

Also, this sounds like it backs up to the ISP server rather than my hard drive, correct? Is that something else I want to check before going to a new host? "If I have a disk usage limit, do backups fill up that limit, or are they not counted?"

Thanks so much for this step by step. I'm going to make a .pdf of it and keep it forever.

Caat

Added: Webling, we were posting at the same time. You answered some of my questions. ;) I'm reading and digesting now....
 
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webling said:
bigcaat,

I'm going to give you simple instructions based on logging into one single database. Nickgrnt gave you instructions for logging into phpMyAdmin and accessing several databases, so take which one works best for you.

After you open phpMyAdmin you will see several links, click on Export

After the new page loads you will see a box with the name of your database there. Make sure you left click on that name so that it is highlighted. Below that make sure that SQL is checked.

Now scroll down to the bottom and check the box next to "Save as file"

Next to "File name template" you can change that name to anything you want, or you may leave it as it is and do nothing to it.

Below that you have the option to save it as an open text file (not recommended due to the size) or you may save it as a a compressed archive in either .zip or .gz format. Depending on how you wish to inflate it on the server you are moving it to will determine which format to save it to.

Since linux has a zip utility now you may choose to save it as a zipped file, so click on that box if this is what you want to do. Otherwise click on the gzipped box. Then simply click on the Go button in the lower right corner. You will then be prompted with a download, if you are using windows xp simply click on "Save as" and then save the file where you want to on your computer. If you are using windows 7 you won't have a "save as" option, so just click on Save and windows explorer will open to your download directory, if you want to choose another directory you can do so then and save the file there.

Let me know if anything is unclear to you or I can assist you in any way.
Click to expand...
Okay, so I do ... or can .... save it to my computer. (I'm on a Mac). This makes more sense to me because I like to have control of my files as much as possible.

So then,
1. I save my databases as a zipped file to my computer.
2. I back up all my files to my computer.
3. I ftp into my new host.
4. I create my databases and name them accordingly. (The same name as now if I don't want to change any code, correct?)
5. I upload all files except for my database files.
6. I 'restore' my newly backed up zipped files from my computer to my new databases
7. I change my DNS servers.

Yes?

If I go with Green Geeks, I'll still have them do this for free, but I should know how to do this in case I go with someone else, or for any other reason. I should know this. And migration or not, I need to know how to back those things up. Thank you soooo much for this. I love this forum! You guys are so nice! :D

Caat
 
bigcaat said:
Okay, so I do ... or can .... save it to my computer. (I'm on a Mac). This makes more sense to me because I like to have control of my files as much as possible.

So then,
1. I save my databases as a zipped file to my computer.
2. I back up all my files to my computer.
3. I ftp into my new host.
4. I create my databases and name them accordingly. (The same name as now if I don't want to change any code, correct?)
5. I upload all files except for my database files.
6. I 'restore' my newly backed up zipped files from my computer to my new databases
7. I change my DNS servers.

Yes?

If I go with Green Geeks, I'll still have them do this for free, but I should know how to do this in case I go with someone else, or for any other reason. I should know this. And migration or not, I need to know how to back those things up. Thank you soooo much for this. I love this forum! You guys are so nice! :D

Caat
Click to expand...

Yes, that's correct. When you create the new database on the new site and go into phpMyAdmin you will want to click on "Import" this time. Your file will be sent to the server and it will create all the tables and insert all the data accordingly.

I do this stuff routinely and it is very simple. With a little coaching it will become easy for you also. phpMyAdmin does the work for you, you simply upload the file and it will do the rest.

Let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.

One final note, if you change your DNS servers and things do not work right on the new site and you need to go back to the old site for any reason it is possible to change your DNS servers back for a short time. Remember it will take a little time for it to propagate on all servers, you may have to flush your local DNS also so it will update for you sooner if there is any delay. Simply open DOS and type "ipconfig /flushdns" without the quotes.
 
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Make sure when seeking a hosting provider that you find one who understands the back end of unix/linux servers very well and can assist you with every detail.
 
bigcaat said:
Thank you so much for this. Definitely, I have not done that before. So, if I have the intent on migrating it, I want to save it as zipped, right?

Also, this sounds like it backs up to the ISP server rather than my hard drive, correct? Is that something else I want to check before going to a new host? "If I have a disk usage limit, do backups fill up that limit, or are they not counted?"

Thanks so much for this step by step. I'm going to make a .pdf of it and keep it forever.

Caat

Added: Webling, we were posting at the same time. You answered some of my questions. ;) I'm reading and digesting now....
Click to expand...

When you Export you are saving to your local hard drive.
 
Database

I want to point out that you should check the versions of the database you are migrating from and to. If the versions are too far apart the new database may not support your software. In which case a transition script may be necessary. You would want to consult with a database specialist in this case.

I'm in the process of moving 8 domains myself along with databases and duplicating them exactly on another server, however the current versions of Plesk are 9.2 and 9.3 both platforms are CentOS. Although the server management software will not affect your database migration, you do want to check the versions between the databases themselves.
 
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There are plenty of hosts that would be able to give you all of the required needs that you have. You should check out the Web Hosting advertise section and see if there are any good ones in there. You can look at their website or email companies to make sure they have the support you need.
 
webling said:
I want to point out that you should check the versions of the database you are migrating from and to. If the versions are too far apart the new database may not support your software. In which case a transition script may be necessary. You would want to consult with a database specialist in this case.

I'm in the process of moving 8 domains myself along with databases and duplicating them exactly on another server, however the current versions of Plesk are 9.2 and 9.3 both platforms are CentOS. Although the server management software will not affect your database migration, you do want to check the versions between the databases themselves.
Click to expand...

Okay, so I just called Green Geeks twice. These two techs weren't quite as nice or as knowledgeable as the first two times I contacted them. I did find that the cPanel versions are not the same but they say it should not be a problem transferring over. However, when I signed with my current host I was told I could not change my primary domain.

IOW, I had a primary - bigcaat.com -- before my last host. I changed my website to spiritcaat.com and just had bigcaat.com forwarding there. When I moved to my current host I asked them to change the primary to spiritcaat.com. He said it couldn't be done, my guess is because he was restoring it in the migration.

Now, however, I've got one Green Geeks guy telling me that it has to stay the same and another tech saying I can change the primary to anything I want. Should I be concerned about their support?
 
Okay, strike that last post. I'm moving onto other options than Green Geeks. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for everyone's help.
 
Just to update: Based on some of the reviews I found here, I went with Hostgator, and so far so good. I understand they are an overseller, but they seem to have everything I need and have been responsive and helpful. (And considering my last, extraordinarily negative, foray into a 'small, independent host', I'm willing to try someone who has some weight behind them.

Thank you all soooo much for all of your help. I really appreciate having found this board and really respect the way you run it.

Hugs,
Caat
 
Thank you for giving us the update on your search. You sure put a lot of effort into it. Maybe you can spoil us with a detailed review after a decent amount of testing them? :)

Good luck!
 
bigcaat said:
Okay, so I just called Green Geeks twice. These two techs weren't quite as nice or as knowledgeable as the first two times I contacted them. I did find that the cPanel versions are not the same but they say it should not be a problem transferring over. However, when I signed with my current host I was told I could not change my primary domain.

IOW, I had a primary - bigcaat.com -- before my last host. I changed my website to spiritcaat.com and just had bigcaat.com forwarding there. When I moved to my current host I asked them to change the primary to spiritcaat.com. He said it couldn't be done, my guess is because he was restoring it in the migration.

Now, however, I've got one Green Geeks guy telling me that it has to stay the same and another tech saying I can change the primary to anything I want. Should I be concerned about their support?
Click to expand...

I've been away for a few days since I've been redeveloping the site for my own hosting company but I had a little time tonight to get back here and check posts.

If a technician knows what he is doing there should be no problem in reversing a parked domain and a primary domain. It's simply a matter of modifying the DNS for that particular domain. We've done it in the past with no problems.
 
webling said:
If a technician knows what he is doing there should be no problem in reversing a parked domain and a primary domain. It's simply a matter of modifying the DNS for that particular domain. We've done it in the past with no problems.
Click to expand...

An alternative is to simply modify the account (Main >> Account Functions >> Modify an Account) and simply change the "Primary Domain" field, the result is then cascaded automatically in typical cPanel fasion.

bigcaat said:
IOW, I had a primary - bigcaat.com -- before my last host. I changed my website to spiritcaat.com and just had bigcaat.com forwarding there. When I moved to my current host I asked them to change the primary to spiritcaat.com. He said it couldn't be done, my guess is because he was restoring it in the migration.
Click to expand...


Surprised they were incapable of the 3 required clicks. :shh:
 
bigcaat said:
Okay, so I just called Green Geeks twice. These two techs weren't quite as nice or as knowledgeable as the first two times I contacted them. I did find that the cPanel versions are not the same but they say it should not be a problem transferring over. However, when I signed with my current host I was told I could not change my primary domain.

IOW, I had a primary - bigcaat.com -- before my last host. I changed my website to spiritcaat.com and just had bigcaat.com forwarding there. When I moved to my current host I asked them to change the primary to spiritcaat.com. He said it couldn't be done, my guess is because he was restoring it in the migration.

Now, however, I've got one Green Geeks guy telling me that it has to stay the same and another tech saying I can change the primary to anything I want. Should I be concerned about their support?
Click to expand...

Sorry I don't mean to jump in here but wow.. 3 clicks tops to change the DNS, whoever those people were I am sorry and they give all of us professionals a bad name.

Second not sure who your hosting provider is, I recommend you get someone to help you move (for free) and manage your account.

There is a plethora of good hosting choices on here and everyone has their niche. Ask questions and if someone doesn't know the answer to what you ask, then I would ask someone else. This is the information age the only problem with it is the amount of BAD information which for some reason people seem to believe more than the true stuff.

I know you will find someone that can not only fill your needs but someone who will hopefully have a long term relationship with you.

Remember you get what you pay for!

Good luck......
 
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