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Navigation Path: Admin Dashboard → Server Migration Tools
URL: /admin/MoveServer
⚠️ Critical Warning: Run these actions ONLY when switching servers! These operations can permanently affect user data and websites. Always backup before proceeding.

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Overview

The Server Migration Tools page provides utilities for migrating your entire platform to a new server, including user accounts, DirectAdmin accounts, websites, and configurations.

User Accounts

Manage and delete user accounts

DirectAdmin Accounts

Check and create DA accounts

Website Setup

Reinstall and migrate websites

Bulk Operations

Bulk email changes and deletions

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User Accounts Management

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Viewing User Accounts

The user accounts list displays all platform users:
ColumnDescription
CheckboxSelect for bulk deletion
IDUser account ID
User InformationName and email
StatusProcessing status
Admin Protection: The admin account (ID: 1) is automatically excluded from all operations to prevent accidental deletion.

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Deleting User Accounts

Bulk Delete Process:
  1. Select users to delete using checkboxes
  2. Click Delete Selected button
  3. Confirm deletion (irreversible)
  4. System deletes:
    • User account data
    • Associated websites
    • DirectAdmin accounts
    • All user files
Permanent Deletion: This action cannot be undone. All user data, websites, and files will be permanently removed. Always backup before deleting accounts.

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DirectAdmin Accounts

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Checking DirectAdmin Accounts

View which users have DirectAdmin accounts created:
ColumnDescription
IDSequential number
User InformationName and email
DirectAdmin AccountDA username or “No DA account”
Account Status:
  • ✅ Green Check: DirectAdmin account exists
  • Gray Text: No DirectAdmin account created

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Creating DirectAdmin Accounts

Bulk Create Process:
  1. Click Check & Create button
  2. System processes each user sequentially
  3. For users without DA account:
    • Creates DirectAdmin user account
    • Assigns to appropriate IP
    • Sets up account permissions
    • Configures account settings
  4. Status updates for each user
When to Use: Use this after migrating database to new server or when DirectAdmin accounts are missing for existing users.

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Website Setup & Migration

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Website Reinstallation

Reinstall all websites on the new server:
ColumnDescription
IDSequential number
WebsiteDomain name and type
StatusSetup progress
Website Types:
  • 🎨 Template Site: Orange palette icon
  • 🌐 Client Site: Green globe icon

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Starting Website Setup

  1. Click Start Setup button
  2. System processes each website:
    • Creates hosting account
    • Sets up database
    • Installs WordPress
    • Configures domain
    • Applies theme and plugins
    • Sets up SSL if configured
  3. Status updates in real-time
  4. Errors logged in error section
Sequential Processing: Websites are set up one at a time to avoid server overload and ensure proper configuration for each site.

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Setup Error Logging

If errors occur during setup:
  • Error section appears automatically
  • Lists failed websites
  • Shows error messages
  • Allows retry or manual intervention

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Bulk Email Change

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Changing Template Website Emails

Update admin email for all template websites:
  1. Enter new email address in field
  2. Click Apply Change button
  3. System updates each template website:
    • Changes WordPress admin email
    • Updates user login email
    • Preserves other settings
  4. Status shows for each website
Use Cases:
  • Migrating to new admin email
  • Consolidating template management
  • Updating after email provider change
Template Sites Only: This operation only affects template websites (those with app_name set). Client websites are not affected.

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Website Lists Export

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Exporting Domain Lists

Copy lists of domains for migration or backup: Client Websites:
  • Lists all client-created websites
  • Space-separated domain list
  • Click to select all
  • Shows total count
Template Websites:
  • Lists all template websites
  • Space-separated domain list
  • Click to select all
  • Shows total count
Use Cases:
  • DNS migration planning
  • Backup documentation
  • Server transfer preparation
  • Audit and inventory

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Bulk Website Deletion

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Deleting Multiple Websites

Quick Select Options:
  • Select All Templates: Check all template sites
  • Select All Client Sites: Check all client sites
  • Select All: Check everything
Deletion Process:
  1. Select websites using checkboxes or quick select
  2. Click Delete Selected button
  3. Confirm deletion (irreversible)
  4. System deletes:
    • Website files
    • Databases
    • DirectAdmin domains
    • SSL certificates
    • Email accounts
Irreversible Action: Deleted websites cannot be recovered. All files, databases, and configurations are permanently removed. Backup critical data first.

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Server Migration Workflow

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Complete Migration Process

1. Preparation (Old Server):
  • Backup all databases
  • Export user lists
  • Export website lists
  • Document current configuration
  • Note all IP addresses
  • Save DirectAdmin settings
2. New Server Setup:
  • Install DirectAdmin
  • Configure IP addresses
  • Set up DNS
  • Install required software
  • Configure firewall
  • Test connectivity
3. Data Migration:
  • Import database to new server
  • Copy website files
  • Transfer email data
  • Migrate SSL certificates
4. Platform Setup (New Server):
  • Install platform application
  • Configure database connection
  • Set up DirectAdmin API
  • Configure domain settings
5. Account Recreation:
  • Run “Check & Create” for DirectAdmin accounts
  • Verify all accounts created
  • Check IP assignments
  • Test account access
6. Website Setup:
  • Run “Start Setup” for websites
  • Monitor setup progress
  • Review error logs
  • Fix failed setups manually
  • Verify all sites accessible
7. Verification:
  • Test user logins
  • Check website functionality
  • Verify email delivery
  • Test DirectAdmin access
  • Confirm DNS resolution
8. Cleanup (Old Server):
  • Keep old server running for 7-14 days
  • Monitor for missed data
  • Redirect DNS gradually
  • Archive old server data
  • Decommission old server

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Best Practices

  • Plan migration during low-traffic period
  • Notify all users in advance
  • Prepare detailed migration checklist
  • Have rollback plan ready
  • Test migration process on staging
  • Document every step
  • Keep old server accessible during transition
  • Backup everything before starting
  • Verify backup integrity
  • Keep multiple backup copies
  • Store backups off-server
  • Test backup restoration
  • Document backup locations
  • Maintain backup for 30+ days post-migration
  • Test each component after migration
  • Verify user account access
  • Check website functionality
  • Test email delivery
  • Verify database connections
  • Check SSL certificates
  • Test all integrations
  • Notify users before migration
  • Provide migration timeline
  • Send progress updates
  • Communicate any issues promptly
  • Provide support during transition
  • Send completion confirmation
  • Gather feedback post-migration

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Troubleshooting

Issue: Cannot create DirectAdmin accountsSolutions:
  1. Verify DirectAdmin API credentials
  2. Check DirectAdmin service is running
  3. Ensure IP addresses are configured
  4. Review DirectAdmin error logs
  5. Check server resource availability
  6. Verify user data is complete
  7. Try creating accounts manually
Issue: Website installation unsuccessfulSolutions:
  1. Check error log for specific issue
  2. Verify DirectAdmin account exists
  3. Ensure database can be created
  4. Check disk space availability
  5. Verify WordPress files accessible
  6. Review file permissions
  7. Try manual WordPress installation
Issue: Bulk email change failsSolutions:
  1. Verify new email format is valid
  2. Check WordPress database connection
  3. Ensure websites are accessible
  4. Review error messages
  5. Try changing individual sites
  6. Check WordPress admin access
  7. Verify database permissions
Issue: Some data missing after migrationSolutions:
  1. Check backup for missing data
  2. Verify migration completed fully
  3. Review migration logs
  4. Check old server for data
  5. Restore from backup if needed
  6. Document what’s missing
  7. Contact support if critical

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Quick Reference

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Migration Checklist

PhaseKey Actions
Pre-MigrationBackup, document, notify users
Server SetupInstall software, configure network
Data TransferCopy files, import databases
Account SetupCreate DA accounts, verify access
Website SetupInstall sites, configure domains
TestingVerify functionality, test access
Go-LiveUpdate DNS, monitor closely
Post-MigrationSupport users, archive old server

IP Manager

Manage IP assignments

Users Management

Manage user accounts

Website Templates

Create websites

Server Manager

Server configuration