Moving Users Between Managed VPS Servers
ℹ️ Note: Always be cautious when transferring users.
Ensure everything works correctly on the new server before removing users from the old one. Always create a backup first!
Backing up Users on Server 1
Restoring Users on Server 2
Final Checks and Cleanup
Log in to the DirectAdmin panel of server 1 as the admin user.
Under Admin Tools, click Admin Backup/Transfer.
Click + Schedule on the right-hand side.
Select the users you want to move, or choose All Users. Then click NEXT STEP.
Make sure Now is selected and click NEXT STEP.
Choose FTP and enter the FTP credentials of server 2.
Use the admin credentials of server 2 and save backups in /admin_backups.
Click NEXT STEP.
Verify that All Data is selected and click SCHEDULE.
The backup process has now started. The duration depends on the number of users selected. You will receive an email once the backup is completed.
Log in to the DirectAdmin panel of server 2 as the admin user.
Under Admin Tools, go to Admin Backup/Transfer.
Click Restore.
Ensure the Path field matches ( /home/admin/admin_backups). Click NEXT STEP.
Select the shared IP address under Use the IP and click NEXT STEP.
Under Files, select the backups you want to restore.
File names typically look like user.admin.username.tar.gz.
Click RESTORE.
The restore process will now start and may take several minutes to hours. You will receive an email once the restoration is completed.
Verify that the websites and email for the migrated users function properly.
If everything works correctly, you can remove the users from server 1.
Afterwards, contact us so we can synchronize the DNS zones on server 2.
⚠️ Important: Always make a full backup and verify everything before deleting users from the old server.
Ensure everything works correctly on the new server before removing users from the old one. Always create a backup first!
Backing up Users on Server 1
Restoring Users on Server 2
Final Checks and Cleanup
Backing up Users on Server 1
Log in to the DirectAdmin panel of server 1 as the admin user.
Under Admin Tools, click Admin Backup/Transfer.
Click + Schedule on the right-hand side.
Select the users you want to move, or choose All Users. Then click NEXT STEP.
Make sure Now is selected and click NEXT STEP.
Choose FTP and enter the FTP credentials of server 2.
Use the admin credentials of server 2 and save backups in /admin_backups.
Click NEXT STEP.
Verify that All Data is selected and click SCHEDULE.
The backup process has now started. The duration depends on the number of users selected. You will receive an email once the backup is completed.
Restoring Users on Server 2
Log in to the DirectAdmin panel of server 2 as the admin user.
Under Admin Tools, go to Admin Backup/Transfer.
Click Restore.
Ensure the Path field matches ( /home/admin/admin_backups). Click NEXT STEP.
Select the shared IP address under Use the IP and click NEXT STEP.
Under Files, select the backups you want to restore.
File names typically look like user.admin.username.tar.gz.
Click RESTORE.
The restore process will now start and may take several minutes to hours. You will receive an email once the restoration is completed.
Final Checks and Cleanup
Verify that the websites and email for the migrated users function properly.
If everything works correctly, you can remove the users from server 1.
Afterwards, contact us so we can synchronize the DNS zones on server 2.
⚠️ Important: Always make a full backup and verify everything before deleting users from the old server.
Updated on: 22/05/2025
Thank you!