Upgrade test 1 - copy users from one Linode to a new Linode

I'm going to start work on upgrading all my Linodes, most of which are running on 32-bit Ubuntu 10.10 distributions with a 64-bit kernel, to 64-bit Ubuntu 14.04 LTS distributions.

Taking things step by step, I want to try the following experiment in copying over users first:

1. Create a brand new Linode with a 64-bit Ubuntu 14.04 LTS distribution.

2. Then I want to copy the existing users and groups, all with the same permissions, from one of my current Linodes to the new Linode. This would include:

• The users, complete with their passwords, so they can just sign in.

• Anybody who has permission to issue sudo commands can still do so.

• The /home directory where all the users' home directories are, with their files.

• Anything else I'm not thinking of?

Any hints on simplifying this process? I want to document a good "best practice" for doing this that will work on our current Linodes

After accomplishing this, I will work on next steps, such as copying over certain data and boot scripts. But one thing at a time, just to get started!

Thanks,

doug