20i to TinyServers zero-downtime migration checklist
Updated: 2026-07-27

BEFORE THE MOVE
[ ] Choose the TinyServers plan from measured CPU, RAM and disk use.
[ ] Deploy the new VPS and install the same application/runtime versions.
[ ] Confirm root or sudo SSH access on both servers.
[ ] Take an independent backup and test that it can be opened.
[ ] Lower the DNS A/AAAA record TTL to 300 seconds at least one old-TTL period before cutover.
[ ] Record existing DNS records, cron jobs, firewall rules and TLS configuration.

COPY AND TEST
[ ] Authorise a dedicated SSH key on the destination.
[ ] Run the first rsync copy.
[ ] Export and import the databases.
[ ] Copy application secrets and environment files securely.
[ ] Test the new server before DNS using curl --resolve or a local hosts-file entry.
[ ] Confirm HTTP status, TLS, login, forms, uploads, email and scheduled jobs.

CUTOVER
[ ] Put write-heavy applications in maintenance/read-only mode where possible.
[ ] Run a final rsync without --delete unless the deletion set has been reviewed.
[ ] Export and import the final database delta.
[ ] Change the DNS A/AAAA records to the new IP.
[ ] Watch access/error logs and application health during propagation.

AFTER THE MOVE
[ ] Verify DNS from more than one resolver.
[ ] Keep the old VPS online and read-only for at least 24–48 hours.
[ ] Restore the normal DNS TTL after the migration is stable.
[ ] Create and test the new backup schedule.
[ ] Remove migration SSH keys and temporary SQL archives.
[ ] Cancel the old VPS only after traffic and data checks pass.

Reference:
https://blog.tinyservers.eu/migrate-20i-vps-to-tinyservers-nvme-zero-downtime/