Transfering many users accounts from a FreeBSD 4.4 box to another one
 

Hello,

I'm quite new to FreeBSD and my request is quite urgent... Sorry to introduce myself that way :(

I'm currently renting a FreeBSD 4.4 server to an hosting provider (root access + SSH access).
This machine hosts a few virtual hosts: 15 web sites and about 400 email accounts. The MTA is Sendmail.

Problem is I have to switch from hosting provider beginning of next week and things have to go very smoothly for the customers... I mean not trashing their data.
On the other hand, I will be more than pleased not to reconfigure all accounts one by one on the new server.

The new machine will also be running FreeBSD 4.4 (root access + SSH + Sendmail). Just the same config as previous one.

Backing up the websites and databases data is ok.

My post is related to the move of the email accounts :scratch:

*** which files do I have to move in order to keep users data (emails, account information like passwords, aliases, etc...)?

*** as I will do it for 3 different servers (same configs), is there a specific script I could use in order to do so?

*** I guess I have to interrupt the sendmail service when doing so? If not, which is the best way to do all the above without interrupting the email service for the customers?

Big thanks in advance to all of you!

I have "cloned" systems in case of fire or water damage. This could be an option for you. The problem is that I have only ever used the procedure with AIX and Solaris systems. By examining the "/etc/fstab" file you may determine the partition scheme on your systems. You may be able to get a script, or even more information on the procedure to clone FreeBSD from:
http//:www.backupcentral.com/
If that is of no help, post your systems configuration here, I have a redundant FreeBSD 4.6 box on my network which I could use to test a procedure for you, the results of which I will post here for you.