Restoring a complete Virtualmin server backup to a new dedicated server

Virtualmin
1

Hi,

I would like to get a new dedicated server, because I noticed that the new one costs €15 less per month, and it also comes with 64 GB of RAM instead of the 32 GB currently available on my server.

It will be 3 years in December since I have had this server.

Regarding restoring an identical server using Webmin/Virtualmin, how does it work?

  • The Virtualmin backup is scheduled every day. It backs up everything; I have checked all options in the settings since I first got this server. The backup runs once a day. Does it also restore Apache/PHP configuration files, such as apache2.conf and PHP configuration files?

  • A few weeks ago, I asked a question on the forum about creating partitions during the server installation. I received some answers. You can see the topic here:
    Ideal partition architecture for a dedicated server running Linux Debian 13 (OVH)

  • Are files such as hosts, systemd, ips failovers of server, server mail, folder /etc/.., etc. restored by Virtualmin?

  • Are configuration files for services such as Firewalld and ModSecurity restored?

  • Are system settings, crontab configurations, and terminal settings (for example, PuTTY settings, Webmin settings) restored?

  • What is not restored?

I have to admit that doing a completely new installation and then restoring everything is a little inconvenient, but I suppose it is the right approach, especially considering that I will get 64 GB of RAM instead of 32 GB and save €15 per month on the server cost.

Kind regards,

2

I should also mention that in my previous topic about the partition layout:

I mentioned a saving of €40 per month. This is because I cancelled another dedicated server in June 2026, which was costing me €30 per month. I migrated some of its services to my current dedicated server, but 32 GB of RAM is becoming a bit tight, and I would ideally need twice as much memory.

The new server also costs €15 less per month than my current one, which is another advantage.

3

One option which I personally like, is to use Transfer.

Create new server, install Virtualmin, take a snapshot if available.
Try restoring the VMin settings first.

virtualmin restore-domain --source /root/backups/virtualmin.tar.gz --all-virtualmin

Have a play and check the settings are OK. I mention that as you are probably upgrading to a new OS version and possibly going from VMin 7 to 8. I had problems going from RHEL9 to 10.

Then on the old server pick a small and minor domain, go Manage Virtual Server, Transfer Virtual Server. You just need to have done an SSH login from old to new first.

Test it out, if happy transfer the rest one at a time.