Guide to Migrating an EasyEngine Server to a New Server

This guide explains how to migrate a server running EasyEngine from OLD-SERVER-IP to a new server (NEW-SERVER-IP), ensuring that WordPress websites (e.g., YOUR-SITE.COM) function seamlessly. The process uses rsync to synchronize data and restarts Docker services.

Overview of the Process

Migrating an EasyEngine server requires copying the main directories (/opt/easyengine and /var/lib/docker/volumes/) from the old server to the new server. The steps include:

1. Setting up the new server.
2. Installing EasyEngine, Docker, and checking rsync.
3. Transferring the /opt/easyengine and /var/lib/docker/volumes/ directories from the old server to the new server.
4. Running Docker containers to start services and websites.

1. Setting Up the New Server

1. Initialize the New Server:

   Create a new server with Ubuntu/Debian and update the system:

   apt update && apt upgrade -y

2. Configure SSH:

   • Ensure access to the new server via SSH (root@NEW-SERVER-IP).

   • (Optional) Create an SSH key pair for secure data synchronization:

     ssh-keygen -t rsa
     ssh-copy-id root@OLD-SERVER-IP

2. Installing EasyEngine, Docker, and Checking rsync

1. Install EasyEngine:

   • EasyEngine automatically installs Docker and its dependencies. Run the command:

     wget -qO ee <https://rt.cx/ee4> && sudo bash ee

   • Verify the installation:

     ee --version
     docker --version
     docker-compose --version

   Note: Do not create new sites or run any EasyEngine commands before synchronizing data.

2. Check and Install rsync:

   • Check if rsync is installed: rsync --version

   • If not installed, install it:

     apt update
     apt install -y rsync

3. Synchronizing Data from the Old Server to the New Server

Synchronize two directories: /opt/easyengine (EasyEngine configuration) and /var/lib/docker/volumes/ (Docker data such as databases and website files) using rsync.

1. Synchronize /opt/easyengine:

   rsync -avz --progress root@OLD-SERVER-IP:/opt/easyengine /opt/easyengine
   • a: Preserves permissions, timestamps, and directory structure.
   • v: Displays detailed output.
   • z: Compresses data for faster transfer.
   • -progress: Shows transfer progress.

2. Synchronize /var/lib/docker/volumes/:

   rsync -avz --progress root@OLD-SERVER-IP:/var/lib/docker/volumes/ /var/lib/docker/volumes/

   Verify the directories on the new server:

   ls -l /opt/easyengine
   ls -l /var/lib/docker/volumes

3. Reboot:

   Reboot to ensure the system recognizes changes: reboot. Wait a few minutes and log back in via SSH (root@NEW-SERVER-IP).

4. Running Docker Containers

1. Start EasyEngine Services:

   • Run the main docker-compose.yml file:

     docker-compose -f /opt/easyengine/services/docker-compose.yml up -d

   • Starts global services (Nginx proxy, MariaDB, Redis).

2. Start Sites:

   • Run the docker-compose.yml files for each site:

     for compose in /opt/easyengine/sites/*/docker-compose.yml; do
         docker-compose -f $compose up -d
     done

   • Starts containers for websites (Nginx, PHP, WordPress).

3. Check Status:

   • Verify containers:

     docker ps

   • Check sites:

     ee site list

Additional Notes

• DNS: Update DNS to point YOUR-SITE.COM to NEW-SERVER-IP.
• SSL: Verify SSL certificates.
• Website Check: Access YOUR-SITE.COM to ensure it is functioning.

Conclusion

Migrating an EasyEngine server from OLD-SERVER-IP to NEW-SERVER-IP is a straightforward process involving setting up the new server, installing EasyEngine and Docker, synchronizing data with rsync, and starting containers. This process ensures that WordPress websites like YOUR-SITE.COM operate seamlessly on the new server.

Credit: Stephen