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Moving MySQL Database to a New Server (Ubuntu)

What will you learn in this guide?​

In this guide, you will learn separating application and MySQL database running on the same server.
The goal is to improve performance and make the infrastructure scalable.

🧠 Technical Summary​

Main Technical Topic:
Migration of MySQL database between Ubuntu servers.

Solved Problem:
Insufficient resources due to increased traffic in LAMP architecture.

Steps Followed:

  • New MySQL server installation
  • Remote connection configuration
  • Backing up existing data
  • Data transfer to new server
  • Directing the application to the new database

1️⃣ Install New Database Server​

Connect to your new server and install MySQL:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mysql-server
sudo mysql_install_db
sudo mysql_secure_installation
  • These commands install MySQL and complete basic security settings.

2️⃣ Open MySQL to Remote Connections​

  1. By default MySQL only listens on localhost.
  • Open the configuration file:

sudo vi /etc/mysql/my.cnf
  • This file contains MySQL network settings.
  • Find and replace the following line:

bind-address = YENI_SUNUCU_OZEL_IP
  • This setting allows MySQL to accept connections over private IP.

Restart the service:


sudo service mysql restart

3️⃣ Export Old Database Safely​

  • Lock the database for data consistency:

FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK;
SET GLOBAL read_only = ON;
  • This process prevents data exchange during migration.
  • Back up the database:

mysqldump --lock-all-tables -u root -p --all-databases > dump.sql
  • This command collects all databases in one file.

Transfer the backup to the new server:


scp dump.sql kullanici@YENI_DB_OZEL_IP:/tmp

4️⃣ Transfer Data to New Server​

  • Import the backup on the new database server:

mysql -u root -p < /tmp/dump.sql
  • This step loads all existing data into the new MySQL server.

5️⃣ Create MySQL User for Application Server​

  • MySQL users work with the logic of user + connecting IP.

Create the new user:


CREATE USER 'wp_kullanicisi'@'UYGULAMA_SUNUCU_OZEL_IP' IDENTIFIED BY 'guclu_sifre';
  • Define authorizations:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO 'wp_kullanicisi'@'UYGULAMA_SUNUCU_OZEL_IP';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
  • This process allows the application to connect to the new server.

6️⃣ Update Application Configuration​

  • If you are using WordPress, open the configuration file:

sudo vi /var/www/html/wp-config.php
  • Update database address:

define('DB_HOST', 'YENI_SUNUCU_OZEL_IP');
  • This setting redirects the application to the new MySQL server.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​

  1. Will the site go down during migration? No. The site goes into read-only mode.

  2. Why do we use private IP? Provides faster and more secure connection.

  3. Should I delete the old MySQL service? Stop it first. Remove after tests.

🚀 Result​

By separating the database, you have made your infrastructure scalable. This structure creates a solid foundation for high traffic, replication and load balancing. You can safely grow your professional projects on the GenixNode infrastructure.