Moving multisite to a new host

  • seancho

    (@seancho)


    12 years, 4 months ago

    Hi. I have successfully created a 7-site domain-mapped WP multisite, in sub-directories. Now client has decided he wants the sites moved to Godaddy hosting. All the sites and domain names will remain the same, they are just moving to the new host.

    I’m trying to get my head around what will need to happen to accomplish this task with minimal disruption to the network. Can anyone with experience in this area help me figure this out in advance so I can make the switch as quickly as possible ?

    So I..

    1 Move files to Godaddy.
    2 Import database

    After this things are less clear. So??

    3 Search database and .htaccess for any reference to old directory structure and replace with new structure.

    4 Change domain mapping IP address to new server

    5 Change A records to point to new server

    What am I missing? What else do I need to consider?

    It would be nice if I could run the Multisite on Godaddy from a temporary URL before flipping DNS, for testing. But that isn’t possible without major database surgery, is it?

    Any advice or inspiration? S

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist

    12 years, 4 months ago

    All the sites and domain names will remain the same, they are just moving to the new host.

    Then it is JUST like moving normal WordPress 🙂 The domain mapping is the trick.

    1. Change the domain mapping IPs to the new server
    2. Copy the files
    3. Copy the database
    4. Point the domains (especially maindomain.com) to the new server
    5. Point the children domains to the new server
    6. Beer

    You DO NOT need to search the DB and .htaccess for the old structure, since the part WP hangs onto is relative, and that’s staying the same because of number one, so skip your number 3. Also, you can’t edit your site until the domains are transfered over (temporary URLs are not worth it with Multisite), so just do the IPs before you move, then move, then fiddle with DNS.

    Remember to drop your DNS TTL low so it propgates faster.

    Thread Starter seancho

    (@seancho)

    12 years, 4 months ago

    Thank you for that. Beer is good =)

    It’s been a long evil slog through Godaddy hell, but all the sites are loading in their new neighborhood. Very happy about that. The last hurdle was a missing .htaccess file that broke redirection and almost made me insane.

    BTW, there actually were some references to the old file system in the database…about 10, one for each site, and a few extra to boot. I have no idea what they were for, but I changed them over to the new. Plugins, perhaps?

    Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist

    12 years, 4 months ago

    If they were in wp_options, be VERY careful. Some are plugins, but some are just placeholders that you don’t need to edit.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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