migrating users from one system to another system

wincrk · 04-24-2006, 12:35 AM

Hi,
i've got one server running debian, there more than 200 users in that box. this server running web server and mail server.

last week, this server become unstable, many errors.
my supervicor want me to reformat this server.

if i were to do so, could i transfer all the user to the new server, without need to add them one by one.

Artanicus · 04-24-2006, 02:33 AM

All the relevant information of the users is located in /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow and /home/*
So, by transfering parts of those / or them wholly you could transfer the users. Do note that it probably is not wise to transfer passwd and shadow fully as you would overwrite system users on the destination machine.

wincrk · 04-25-2006, 10:09 PM

is it that easy to migrating from onelinux system to another linux system?
if i overwrite the passwd, shadow and /home with the old one, is it will overwrite all the current user on that machine?

Artanicus · 04-26-2006, 12:36 AM

Yes, and yes. (:

So, my recomendation is that you move only the lines that contain the users whom you want to move. (as in not the system users) And then just copy those over to the new machine. For every line you copy from passwd they will need their corresponding shadow line. And if the users want to keep their files, their home directory is very useful to copy also.. (:

wincrk · 04-26-2006, 10:07 PM

thanks Artanicus,

it's very helpful for a new learner like me.