Moving dedicated server to Linode

File a ticket and they can migrate it to another host, but might want to justify it. Why do you want to move to a different host?

I think he means move from non-linode to linode. Not move from one linode host to another.

I haven't done this myself, but if you set the Linode to use pv_grub (e.g., your own local kernel), and create a disk image large enough for your current root partition, you could then boot a recovery (Finnix) configuration, transfer over your old root partition to that disk image, and then boot from a configuration using it. Some configuration elements (interface names, IP addresses, etc..) might not port depending on your original hardware and network configuration, but that could be fixed via the LISH console if needed.

If you don't have any special requirements, you could then revert to a standard Linode kernel if you'd prefer.

I believe there's an article in the Linode Library - http://library.linode.com/linode-platfo … e-over-ssh">http://library.linode.com/linode-platform/migration/copy-disk-image-over-ssh - on doing a network transfer of disk images. This assumes you take down your source system to a maintenance mode too - e.g., boot a recovery CD of some sort on it. I think there's another library article on transferring a live system with rsync if the source system must remain running.

It's really easy to experiment with a Linode in terms of creating and destroying disk images and configurations, so if you haven't already I'd just give it a shot and see what happens. Your biggest issue is going to be the time to transfer the image, so if I were you I might create a smaller source configuration as a test to experiment with the process. You could even make it a VM with a minimal CentOS installation running on top of your existing system.

-- David

Hi,

My current system (non linode) version is

Linux 2.6.18-92.el5 #1

Can someone help me with step by step guide? The non linode system has to be on all the time.

Step-by-step guide for a live system is here.

Avoid suid problems by adding the p option to the rsync command: rsync --exclude="/sys/*" --exclude="/proc/*" -aHSKDvzp -e ssh / root@12.34.56.78:/mnt/xvdb/

Thank you very much, I am checking the document you have suggested.

Will the linode backup will work with this type of setup easily? Will there be any problems for linode software because my server kernel version?

Richard

You should be fine with backups as long as you just create normal disk images through the Linode manager, since the host has to be able to mount the disk and read the filesystem for backups. Beyond that though it'll just back up any contents of that filesystem. Kernel doesn't matter, as the host is just taking a snapshot of the filesystem independent of what is actually running on your guest.

See also http://www.linode.com/backups/

– David

As per the document …

I have created a new disk image of 12 GB in which my non linode server will be copied. Do I need to create another swap partition? or existing swap can be used in two installations?

@richardvc:

As per the document …

I have created a new disk image of 12 GB in which my non linode server will be copied. Do I need to create another swap partition? or existing swap can be used in two installations?

Your linode needs just one swap partition, since you can only have one linode profile booted at a time you only need to create the one.

Since you have a 11GB used on your non-linode you should allocate more space on your linode than 12GB, if you did indeed buy a linode 2GB you might as well use almost all of the 64gb that comes with it for your /root partition.

My rsync status …

I am trying to run command mentioned the document, my rsync is pausing at

lib/modules/2.6.18-92.el5/kernel/fs/nls/nls_cp949.ko

what could be the reason?

Thanks

Richard Correia

http://www.vasaiflowers.com

Pausing as in hanging or stopping completely? Either way try adding an additional -v option to rsync it should provide more insight, could be a permissions issue are you rsyncing as root?

Yes. I am doing rsync as a root, also -v option is added, so I can see the files progress.

But the program is stopping at certain files .. like I mentioned earlier

It's terminating with any errors, just paused.

Richard

On this server, I have CDP backup client installed from R1Soft

http://wiki.r1soft.com/display/R1D/CDP+ … dmin+Guide">http://wiki.r1soft.com/display/R1D/CDP+Server+Admin+Guide

IS this a reason why rsync is having problems?

I stopped the backup client …

still rsync is pausing randomly .. at any file .. it transfer around 100/200 files and then take a pause .. no error on stdout ..

Please help

Richard

Why are you trying to "move" the whole thing?

Just setup a new VPS Linode, install/config your LAMP stack (or whatever you're using), setup your databases, and then just move the Databases and Data.

There's always numerous things that don't match up between the two different systems, plus the unavoidable cruft that accumulates over time - so a fresh install specific to that setup is always a better solution in my opinion.

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

I am trying to see if this thing work smoothly … But I guess I will have to go with what you are suggesting.

Richard

Founder,

Arnala - http://www.virarbeachresort.com