Moving your Web Site to a VPS via Restoring cPanel Backup
Web site migration assistance might be the coolest service a prospective web host can offer. This is where they help you move your site. (Or do it for you.)
WiredTree moved my site for me. They transferred the back-up file (backup-date_radified.tar.gz) from the old server at Lunarpages (« Shared web hosting account) and restored it on/at our new VPS.
Joe did this for me, via WHM, which creates an exact "clone" of your old hosting account on your new VPS. (Very cool.)
Heck, I didn't even have to ask. (He offered.) Indeed, I wasn't aware this level of technical support was available from a VPS host. From Joe's email:
"Give me the FTP information of your other server and I will transfer the backup to your server here and take care of restoring it. It's a cPanel backup, right?"
The offer to move the site was a key factor in my decision to host with Lunarpages (a few years ago, before we upgraded to VPS), because I'd never moved the site before, and had no idea what was involved.
From experience, I can now say that everything transfers with the backup clone/file » all your subdomains, your MySQL databases, and even your add-on domains (if you host multiple websites on your server).
The only noticeable difference will be finding your files residing on a VPS, which means you'll now have ROOT access, plus access to Web Host Manager (which you can't get from a Shared web host).
A VPS also has a certain 'feel' to it. Hard to describe. Powerful. Sophisticated. Responsive. Everything feels zippier. With power to spare. Hot chicks want to have sex with me after hearing I have a VPS. =)
I created a backup of the site using the cPanel Back-up module (which took an hour). I gave Joe my log-in info at the old server. An hour-or-so later, the site was up-n-running at the new server. (Way cool. Too easy.)
This is where WiredTree first exceeded my expectations. What a pleasant change from dealing with the supporter techs at Lunarpages, where I was getting nothing but grief.
I should add that this level of support (website migration assistance) is not a given (at WiredTree, or any other VPS web host), but rather available only as time permits, as Tech Support might be busy with more pressing issues.
Oops, looks like I'm wrong. Seems WiredTree now offers "Free Migration Assistance" to everybody. I was actually the one who suggested they list that service as a 'feature' on their site, knowing what a difference it can make for those trying to decide which host to choose.
If you've never moved your site before, the first time can seem intimidating, cuz you worry everything might somehow be lost in the move. All your years of hard work: gone. Poof!
Restoring a cPanel Backup at your New VPS Web Server
If you decide to restore your cPanel backup clone yourself (something I haven't), you'll first need to ensure the file is located in your /home directory on your new Virtual Private Server (VPS). And it must have been created with the cPanel Backup module (on/at your old server).
The script is executed in WHM by clicking the icon labeled Backup » then clicking the link for option labeled » Restore a Full Backup/cpmove file. (Let the VPS party begin!)
You can even instruct the old server to automatically upload the file to the new server (in step 2), which is nice .. especially if the file will be large.
This saves you from having to download the file (to your local PC), then uploading it to the VPS. Again, I've never actually done this myself, but the guys at WiredTree claim it's a piece of cake. (And I'm sure they've done it enough times to know.)
Again, I'm reluctant to discuss things for which I have no first-hand experience, and restoring a cPanel clone is something I haven't done. So here's a tutorial written by someone who does have first-hand experience. It contains more detail, and walks you thru some command line mojo (which is nice to learn when you have a Virtual Private Server).
Rad Referral
If you decide to host with WiredTree (based on what you've read here) tell Zac (president of WiredTree), and ask him to comp me a free month ($49).
Can't hurt to ask, right? Even if he doesn't, I still feel comfortable recommending them.
My only concern is that WiredTree might eventually grow too big to continue offering such great service & support. You how succe$$ can ruin a good company. Or perhaps their networking infrastructure might fail to keep pace with their hosting growth.
I have voiced these concerns, and the guys at WiredTree assure me they have the experience necessary to "grow the company" without abandoning the principles which make them such an attentive and competent VPS host.
UPDATE (Oct. 2008) - Received the following notice from Wiredtree:
We're pleased to announce additional gigabit connectivity through Sprint. This will improve network performance and provide an additional layer of redundancy.
Our network engineers will gradually increase traffic over the connection to ensure the network continues to runs smoothly. This addition brings our number of tier-1/transit-free backbone providers in use by WiredTree to four!
Nevertheless, the proof (as they say), is in the pudding. If you find these pages loading quickly, you can be reasonably confident Wiredtree continues to do a good job at providing clients (like me) with a responsive virtual environment and a robust networking infrastructure. If not .. I'd look elsewhere for hosting (assuming, of course, the sluggishness isn't due to a problem with your ISP).
On the next page, we'll prepare for our upgrade to VPS by examining the differences between the three major types of web hosting solutions » Shared, VPS & Dedicated servers. Understanding these differences (including their strengths & weaknesses) will help us ensure we make the right decision.