Migrate a client cPanel without WHM restore ability?

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Posted by jaxon, 02-25-2010, 10:14 AM
Hi there folks, I've been searching through the forums and google a ton trying to find out what the standard procedure is for resellers to migrate a client's cpanel (from their old host) to my reseller account at hostgator. It seemed like it should be really straightforward but all the instructions I found in WHT were for people with root access and my chat with hostgator didn't really go anywhere. So far, I created a full backup from the clients old cpanel. Now I'd like to be able to do something with it There must be a way to do this considering how many people are running full hosting businesses backed by reseller accounts, right? If not, how can people possibly run a hosting business like this? Contacting their master reseller every time someone needs a migration I'm dealing with needing to move a 600MB joomla install + DB + 30+ active email addresses. If a full migration isn't possible, I really appreciate some advice about migrating the email accounts. I can do the site data and DB fine manually but I haven't figured out the mail. Thanks a ton. This community is great and a pleasure to be a part of! Jaxon
Posted by GORF, 02-25-2010, 10:58 AM
1 - Create a dummy account on your HG reseller (restore.xyz). 2 - Create a full backup to remote FTP location at the old host pointing to the restore.xyz account. 3 - Ask HG to run the restore process for you.
Posted by jaxon, 02-25-2010, 11:31 AM
Thanks a bunch GORF. I had figured out the backup and FTP bit from another thread here. Although, I'm not completely clear on why I wouldn't ftp the backup straight to the client's new account - but rather to a dummy account... The Host Gator part was the bit I was having trouble wrapping my head around. The live chat person I talked to had directed me to their restore request page but at first look it appeared to charge $15 per restore and only cover weekly backups. At the bottom, it also mentions what I needed to know though: Notice: So, between GORF's reply and this - I get the picture - but it's not that pretty. This seems like a few too many steps for what I imagine will become a reoccurring task in my business. There is so much mentality of "reseller hosting is enough for 99% of people getting into hosting", however this limit by itself seems like a big enough downfall, to simply go straight to VPS. On the other hand - I have my eye on innohosting and I REALLY like what I see with there end user support - which is only free for resellers - $300 for VPS customers... quite the quandary if you ask me Any tips or thoughts people want to throw out would be great So thanks a lot again. I'm just starting my hosting business up and really appreciate all the knowledge and helpful folks on this site
Posted by Vinayak_Sharma, 02-25-2010, 02:50 PM
To restore, backup files are moved to /home location. So if you are going to upload backup files to individual account's directory, support guy will have to move those files one by one, whereas if you have uploaded them to a single location, all files can be moved in one go and makes the whole process easy and less time consuming. If you have your reseller account from a good provider, who is knowledgeable, have fast support and care for you, reseller hosting is good enough for you as a startup. Having your own VPS or a dedicated need knowledge/skills and lot of time to run things smoothly. So if you have good budget/earning to afford this you can go for it. So for a startup, start with a reseller account, then move up to VPS or dedicated, when you can support and afford it. Offcourse if you have good enough money to start with, you can always rent a dedicated, and hire a sysadmin and some support guys to help you out. But you will need experience too in the field and this experience is not just about managing servers and all, its about running the whole business.
Posted by jaxon, 02-25-2010, 04:29 PM
Thanks a ton Vinayak, I appreciate your insight and willingness to offer advice. I agree that the VPS option seems a bit beyond my needs and abilities right now. I was initially surprised that this method of migration - through the master reseller - was my only option. Now that I see it is the norm and that most master resellers will do it quickly and as standard procedure, which makes me feel a lot better about the whole thing. Thanks again!
Posted by MyLabuan, 02-27-2010, 07:20 PM
For account migration can be done if you have root access, normally master reseller same as normal reseller and he/she cannot do this task (I meant server to server). Unless you have VPS and this kind of job very easy to solve..
Posted by mudassirjaved, 02-27-2010, 10:49 PM
master reseller have root access?