Moving an OS from one server to another
 

Just wondering if it is possible to move all files on a remote server to a new server at a different location and what the best method of doing this would be. Both boxes are running Ubuntu 14.4 and have identical system configurations, but the old box has Big Blue Button (totally configured) and the new box is just a clean install of Ubuntu. Should I create an iso of the old box and put it on the new box or is there a better way.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Clonezilla works fine as long as there is no RAID involved. Rsync works for just files, but not the OS. Both machines just need a CD player or USB connection to boot the Clonezilla app.

Clonezilla looks like a good program the only problem is the source machine(the one I need the info off of) is in a remote data center that I have no physical access to the target server however is local and does have a dvd. My thought is what if I ssh into the remote server and tell it to make an iso of it's entire system. The only problem is I'm not real sure how to get it on the new machine then(command wise). Or is it better to just do a complete backup of the old system and apply it to the new one.

I would use rsync to replicate the relevant files from old to new.
Then adjust any required configs and update your DNS records.
Of course, the devil is in the details ... what exactly are you trying to do?

Well like I said in my post. We have a Ubuntu 14.4 Vps on a remote server (Chicago) that we now want to move to our Dedicated Xen server here (In PA) but the provider of the Vps says they have no way of doing a snapshot or backup, so I'm stuck trying to find another solution. I can configure the new box's OS to match the old one, but really don't want to repeat the months of configuration and mistakes it took to get BBB working, so I was hoping to find a way to copy the entire drive to the new machine but like you said there is the config files that might confuse the system. As much as I hate to say it the simple answer might be to just rebuild it. I really thought I could make an iso and transfer the entire system to here. I guess its the simple things that mess you up the most...

Well, I have no idea what 'BBB' is, and "server" is in no sense specific - the "best" method will depend entirely on the specifics of the services you are trying to migrate and the differences between the two environments.

Ok, for the benefit of those of you that aren't up to speed. BBB stands for Big Blue Button (a go to meeting type of software that although very good, is also very hard to configure) and the server is irrelevant since all server parameters of the new server will be identical to the old server. What I want to do is move the file system "not the server"...

And in all due respect to a senior member, since you have no idea what BBB is or apparently how to move an OS from one physical box to another, why are you responding to this post?

I'm not.
Good luck.

Maybe take this as an opportunity to update to the latest bleeding edge Big Blue Button on the new host.

Trying to copy stuff around usually ends up being a frustrating mess, better to learn how to set up big button and configure it correctly. More so in a shared environment. Trying for shortcuts will not pay off in the short run or the long run.

Although I appreciate your suggestion and with the understanding this thread isn't about BBB, let me just say this. BBB is like building a cabinet, first the directions and predrilled holes "so to speak" never line up and once completed all you have is an empty cabinet. We have altered BBB so drastically that I guess you could call it BBB+ and many tweaks and config files are hidden in places we don't even know about. So to sum things up, we do have "the latest and greatest BBB" but altered to meet our needs, now we want to move it to a server (Physical Box) capable of handling its production needs. And as a final note, if you can show me anyone that wants to start over and rebuild an entire BBB server, then ill show you someone with serious mental issues...

All I am asking for is a solution for mirroring a server to a new server, not rocket science just want the new machine to have the exact same files and structure as the old machine. Is there a way to do that?

It is rocket surgery. The only limit on linux is you and your capabilities. So anything's possible. But the real test is whether or not to do something. I guess you don't like the answers that have been given so far so time to roll your own.

Hi ttrimble
Could you share a bit of how you solved the issue.

Did you submit all your changes upstream to big blue button? (that name is somehow unpleasant)
I would like to try it out. I see they have a github repo, are your changes already in or are they in review?

No I didn't, they wouldn't make sense for any other application then ours. They are totally proprietary to our system and needs.

The issue was not solved, I closed it because I was treated so ignorantly by some of the members who "thought in there own mind that they were so much better than me" that they decided to blast me with abusive comments about totally non-relative issues. If they were on one of my sites, they would be looking for a new place to play right now. I will however be opening a more tightly regulated help board of my own soon, were REAL people with REAL needs can get REAL help.