How to: Import Hosting Accounts to InterWorx

Note

Supported control panels are InterWorx, cPanel, and Plesk.

InterWorx includes built-in import tools to facilitate easy migration between servers.

These tools include:

• Mass Import Tool: Uses SSH to access a remote server to import multiple accounts

  • Can be used to import from InterWorx and cPanel

  • Can only be performed from NodeWorx

  • Allows the ability to import either full or structure-only backups

• Migration Tool: Uses SSH to access a remote server to import multiple accounts

  • Can be used to import from both InterWorx and cPanel

  • Can only be performed from NodeWorx

  • Allows the ability to re-sync accounts

  • Allows the ability to customize import data

• Single Account Import: Imports a single account backup

  • Can be used to import from InterWorx, cPanel, and Plesk (via the Plesk import tool)

  • Can be performed from NodeWorx and via the CLI (InterWorx and cPanel, only)

Contents

• How to: Import Hosting Accounts to InterWorx

  • Importing Multiple Accounts

    • Using the Mass Import Tool

      • Troubleshooting the Mass Import Tool

    • Using the Migration Tool

      • Creating the Migration Plan

      • Managing the Migration Plan

      • Importing Accounts

  • Importing a Single Account

    • To Import a Single Account Using NodeWorx

    • To Import a Single Account Using the CLI

    • To Import a Single SiteWorx Account as a Different Domain or User

    • To Import a Single Account from Plesk 9+

  • Importing Large Accounts From Another InterWorx Server

Importing Multiple Accounts

Using the Mass Import Tool

1. Log into NodeWorx from the browser (https://ip.ad.dr.ess:2443/nodeworx)

2. In NodeWorx, navigate to SiteWorx > Import

   

3. Click Import Mass Transfer. This opens the Mass Account Transfer form

   

4. Update the required fields:

   • Hostname: The IP or hostname of the Remote/Source server

     Note

     The mass transfer is initiated via SSH, so if the Remote/Source server is running SSH on a non-standard port, that port can be designated by using <hostname>:<port number>

     For example, if the Remote/Source server, ‘source.hostname.com’, has SSH on port 2200, it would be entered as source.hostname.com:2200 in the Hostname field.

   • Root User: The root user of the Remote/Source server

   • Password: The password for the root user of the Remote/Source server

5. Click Query Accounts. This opens the Mass Import page

   

   • There are several information fields and optional dropdown menus for each account

     • Storage: The approximate amount of disk space the account is using on the Remote/Source server

       • This field will only show accurate information is quotas are enabled on the Remote/Source server. Otherwise it will show 0.00 MB

     • Reseller: The reseller the account will be imported under

       • If the remote reseller does not already exist on the destination server, there will be the option to import the remote reseller

       • If the reseller in the backup file already exists, the account will automatically be imported under that reseller

     • Database Server: The database server the imported account will use

     • IPv6 Pool: The IPv6 pool the imported account will use

     • IPv4 Address: The IPv4 address the imported account will be assigned to

     • IPv6 Address: The IPv6 address the imported account will be assigned to

     • Type: Allows the choice between either a “Full” or “Structure-Only” import

       • Structure-only imports are much smaller and faster than full imports, but only import SiteWorx account related information (such as quotas, usernames, passwords) and not actual data (such as website data files, database data, and email files)

       • Structure-only imports are especially useful when mass-transferring large accounts, since large accounts can take a considerable amount of time to mass-transfer

     • SSL: States whether the account has an SSL certificate on the remote server

       • Let’s Encrypt certificates are not included in the backup or import of SiteWorx accounts due to DNS requirements

   • At the top of each section is a row of Advanced Options dropdowns. Options selected from this menu bar will be applied to all of the accounts on the list

6. Select the accounts to be migrated by clicking the checkbox next to each account

7. Click Import. This refreshes the page to show the status of each of the chosen accounts’ import process:

   • In Progress: Account is currently being backed up non the Remote/Source server, transferred to the Local/Destination server, and imported into the InterWorx Control Panel

   • Pending: Account is waiting for the import process to begin

   • Success: Import of account succeeded

   • Failure: Import of account failed. A message that indicates possible reasons for failure will appear beneath the message

The page will automatically reload to update the import status of each account.

When the mass transfer process is complete, all accounts will either have a Success or Failure status in the Import Status column.

Note

If the page is closed, the mass transfer will still continue in the background. However, when returning to the page, the account status information will no longer be shown.

Troubleshooting the Mass Import Tool

• “Permission Denied” error after clicking Query Accounts:

  -Check to make sure the following:

  • The root password is correct

  • The root username is correct

  • SSH is enabled for the root user on the Remote/Source server

• Imports fail with an “Invalid Password” error

  • The most common cause of this error is that passwordless/keyless SSH is set up between the two servers

    • Disable passwordless/keyless SSH and try the import, again

Using the Migration Tool

Note

NOTE: The InterWorx Migration Tool is under active development. This Beta version has been released for QA testing and feedback.

Creating the Migration Plan

1. Log into NodeWorx from the browser (https://ip.ad.dr.ess:2443/nodeworx)

2. In NodeWorx, navigate to SiteWorx > Import

   

3. Click Migration Tool. This opens the Migrations page

   

4. Click +. This opens the Add Migration Form

   

5. Update the required fields:

   • Hostname: The IP or hostname of the Remote/Source server

   • User: The root user of the the Remote/Source server

   • Port: The SSH port for the Remote/Source server

   • Authentication: The type of authentication that will be used to access the Remote/Source server

   • Password: The password for the user of the Remote/Source server

   • Nickname: A nickname for the migration

6. Click Save. This will access the Source server and pull in the account information. Once that is complete, the page will refresh and the new server will show in the list

   

   Note

   While the status next to the account says “Running”, that just means it is connected to the Remote/Source server. The migration will not start until the steps listed under Managing the Migration Plan and Importing Accounts are completed.

Managing the Migration Plan

1. Log into NodeWorx from the browser (https://ip.ad.dr.ess:2443/nodeworx)

2. In NodeWorx, navigate to SiteWorx > Import

   

3. Click Migration Tool. This opens the Migrations page

   

4. Click Open next to the server. This opens the Manage Accounts page:

   

5. Click the arrow next to the account, this provides several options to customize the import for that account. Select the checkbox(es) next to the desired options:

   

   • Transfer home directory: Imports or syncs the home directory

   • Transfer databases: Imports or syncs the databases

   • Transfer email content: Imports or syncs email messages

   • Complete Overwrite: Overwrites all existing data that may have already been imported for the account

6. Click the button next to the desired option

   • Save Plan: Saves the migration plan

   • Rescan: Scan the Source server again for other accounts and updated account info

   • Close Migration: Closes the connection and stops the migration process

     Note

     It is not possible to re-open a migration plan after it is closed. Please do not close the migration plan until the migration is complete.

Importing Accounts

1. Log into NodeWorx from the browser (https://ip.ad.dr.ess:2443/nodeworx)

2. In NodeWorx, navigate to SiteWorx > Import

   

3. Click Migration Tool. This opens the Migrations page

   

4. Click Open next to the server. This opens the Manage Accounts page:

   

5. Select the checkbox(es) next to the account(s)

   • Selecting the checkbox next to the With Selected dropdown will automatically select all accounts

6. Select Sync from the With Selected dropdown

7. Click Go

Importing a Single Account

To Import a Single Account Using NodeWorx

1. Log into NodeWorx from the browser (https://ip.ad.dr.ess:2443/nodeworx)

2. In NodeWorx, navigate to SiteWorx > Import

   

3. Click Import Single Account, in either the sidebar or the main page. This opens the Select Reseller form

   

4. Select the reseller from the Reseller ID dropdown

5. Click Save. This opens the Single Account Import form

   

6. Update the required fields:

   • Local Backup File: The single backup file. There are two options:

     • Click Browse to choose a backup file on the local machine hard drive

     • Click the Folder Icon to specify the path to a backup file located on the destination/local server

   • Control Panel Type: The control panel that created the backup

   • IP Address: The new IP address for the account

     • If the backup is from another InterWorx server, the IP address can also be assigned manually by clicking the checkbox next to Assign IPs Manually

   • Database Server: The database server the imported account will use

7. Click Next. This opens the confirmation form

   

8. Click Import

To Import a Single Account Using the CLI

The CLI method of importing accounts to an InterWorx server is less user-friendly than doing so through NodeWorx,but it offers more options and flexibility.

1. Log in to the server at the CLI as root, either via SSH or from the terminal

2. Run the InterWorx import script. It has three required parameters:

   ~iworx/bin/import.pex --archive {/path/to/backup} --ip-address {ip.for.bac.kup} --control-panel {control-panel}
   

Parameter	Description
--archive=file	Path and filename of backup file to import.
--ip-address=ip-address	IP address to use for the imported account. The IP address must be a valid shared or unused dedicated IP address. inifile is also a valid input for this parameter when importing a SiteWorx account (uses old IP found inside backup)
--control-panel=cptype	Indicates the control panel from which this backup was created. Valid values: siteworx cpanel plesk

For example, to import a backup located at /tmp/backup.tar.gz, that was created from another InterWorx server, and will be assigned to the IP 10.1.10.99, run:

[iworx@server ~]$ ~iworx/bin/import.pex --archive=/tmp/backup.tar.gz --control-panel=siteworx --ip-address=10.1.10.99

There are also optional flags that may be used when importing the account. Some common examples:

Parameter	Description
--force	Tells import.pex to force the restore which will delete any existing SiteWorx account, without a confirmation prompt, before restore proceeds. This is necessary when trying to revert to an older state of a SiteWorx account from a backup.
--reseller-id=id number	Tells import.pex to assign the account to a particular reseller account. If this parameter isn’t used the account will be assigned to the NodeWorx administrator.
--create-reseller	Tells import.pex to create the reseller that’s stored in the backup file. If the reseller in the backup file already exists, the account will automatically be imported under this reseller.

A full list of options and flags can be seen by adding the -h or --help flag to the command:

[root@server ~]# ~iworx/bin/import.pex -h
--archive is required
--control-panel is required
Usage: import.php [ options ]
--archive <string>                Path and filename of the backup file to import
--control-panel <string>          Indicates the control panel from which this backup was created.
Available Options: cpanel, directadmin, ensim, plesk, siteworx
--ipv4 <string>                   IPv4 Address to use for the domain being imported.
--ipv6 <string>                   IPv6 Address to use for the domain being imported.
--ipv6_pool <string>              IPv6 Pool to use.
--old-ipv4 <string>               Original IPv4 Address for the domain being imported.
--old-ipv6 <string>               Original IPv6 Address for the domain being imported.
--ip-map <string>                 Some backup types support an explicit map of IPs
--ip-map-md5 <string>             File containing MD5 Checksum of ip-map file
--db-server <string>              The nickname of the database server to be used for importing the account
--create-reseller                 Create the reseller that’s stored in the backup file.
--reseller-id <integer>           If this parameter isn't used the account will be assigned to the NodeWorx administrator.
--ip-type <string>
--force                           Will delete any existing SiteWorx account, without a confirmation prompt, before restore proceeds.
--no-restart                      Prevent the web server from restarting after import.
--quiet                           No output from import
--master-domain <string>
--import-domain <string>
--siteworx
--nofull
--preserve-siteworx-account       Import over the existing SiteWorx account.
--override-master-domain <string> Create the backup using a different master domain name
--override-unix-user <string>     Create the backup using a different unix username
--move-defaults                   Move and chown/chmod defaults file for an import
--defaults-source <string>        Source file
--defaults-dest <string>          Destination file
--defaults-group <string>         Group
--help                            Print this help message
--verbose                         Provide verbose output if possible
--no-color                        Suppress colorized output
--force-color                     Forces colorized output.  Overrides --no-color
[root@server ~]#

To Import a Single SiteWorx Account as a Different Domain or User

SiteWorx backups can be imported as a different master domain or unix user than what is listed in the backup.

This is useful if importing to a Destination/Local server where a domain or user with the same name already exists.

Note

This options only applies to backups that do not contain secondary domains

1. Log in to the server at the CLI as root, either via SSH or from the terminal

2. To override the master domain, run the import script with the --override-master-domain flag and what the new domain should be

   ~iworx/bin/import.pex --archive {/path/to/backup} --ip-address {ip.for.bac.kup} --control-panel {control-panel} --override-master-domain {new-domain}
   

1. To override the unixuser, run the import script with the --override-unix-user flag and what the new unix user should be

~iworx/bin/import.pex --archive {/path/to/backup} --ip-address {ip.for.bac.kup} --control-panel {control-panel} --override-unix-user {new-unix-user}

To Import a Single Account from Plesk 9+

Note

Due to file structure differences, there is a separate single account importer in NodeWorx for accounts imported from Plesk.

1. Log into NodeWorx from the browser (https://ip.ad.dr.ess:2443/nodeworx)

2. In NodeWorx, navigate to SiteWorx > Import

   

3. Click Import from Plesk in either the sidebar or the main page. This opens the Import from Plesk form

   

4. Update the required field:

   • Local Backup File: The single backup file. There are two options:

     • Click Browse to choose a backup file on the local machine hard drive

     • Click the Folder Icon to specify the path to a backup file located on the destination/local server

5. Click Continue. This opens the next step in the import form

   

6. Update the required fields:

   • Reseller ID: The reseller the account will be listed under

   • Client Email: The email address associated with the account

   • IP Address: The IP address the account will be assigned to

   • Database Server: The database server the imported account will use

7. Click Continue. This opens a popup with the output of the import process

   

8. Once the output shows that the import completed, click X to close the popup

   Note

   The import form does not automatically refresh back to the main import page once the import is complete. To navigate away from the form, click any other link on the leftside menu

Importing Large Accounts From Another InterWorx Server

Note

Using the Migration Tool is recommended when importing large accounts, as that tool can handle large imports without breaking them into smaller parts.

When using the Mass Transfer tool, or Single Account Import tool to import a large SiteWorx account from another InterWorx server, it is common for the process to time out or fail before the import is complete. As such, it is recommended to import large accounts incrementally, instead.

1. On the Source server, create a Structure-Only backup of the SiteWorx account, either from the SiteWorx interface or via the CLI

2. Transfer the Structure-Only backup from the Source server to the Destination server, using a service such as SCP, Rsync, FTP, etc.

3. Using either the Single Account Import tool in NodeWorx , or the CLI, import the Structure Only backup. This will create the basic structure of the SiteWorx account, including email addresses, FTP accounts, database names and database users. It will not include data such as web files, email messages, or database tables and contents

4. On the Source server, create a Partial backup of the SiteWorx account either from the SiteWorx interface or via the CLI. This backup should contain the smaller data items for the account. For example, if the bulk of the account consists of email messages, the partial backup should specify only the web files and databases

5. Transfer the Partial backup from the Source server to the Destination server, using a service such as SCP, Rsync, FTP, etc.

6. Using either the Single Account Import tool in NodeWorx, or the CLI, import the Partial backup. This will import the data items that were specified

7. Manually transfer the remaining data items from the Source server to the Destination server using a service such as Rsync or FTP. The file locations and permissions should match the locations and permissions on the Source server