Ubuntu: Migrate all mysql databases from one server to another

1. On the new server, install mysql server:

   sudo apt-get install mysql-server mysql-client

2. On the new server, stop the mysql server:

   sudo service mysql stop

3. On the new server, backup /var/lib/mysql:

   sudo mv /var/lib/mysql /var/lib/mysql.bak

4. On the old server, stop the mysql server:

   sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop

5. On the new server, mirror /var/lib/mysql directory from the old server:

   sudo rsync -avz root@old_server:/var/lib/mysql /var/lib/

6. On the new server, run

   sudo mysql_upgrade -u root -p

   (NOTE: if you forget the root user password, you can reset the root password.)
7. Start mysql server on the new server:

   sudo service mysql start

See also

• Copying mysql databases to another machine
• How can I move a database from one server to another?