FlashPanel

Migrate from DirectAdmin ​

Overview ​

The migration tool allows you to transfer websites and databases from your DirectAdmin server to your FlashPanel server automatically. This process copies all website files, database content, and configurations without manual intervention.

DirectAdmin organizes data by user — each user owns a set of domains and databases. The migration tool preserves this structure and lets you select exactly what to migrate.

Prerequisites ​

Before starting the migration, ensure:

  • You have at least one server added to FlashPanel
  • Your target server has a web server (Nginx, Apache2, or OpenLiteSpeed) installed if you plan to migrate websites
  • Your target server has a database server (MySQL or MariaDB) installed if you plan to migrate databases
  • You have SSH access credentials for your DirectAdmin server

How to Migrate ​

Step 1: Select Target Server ​

  1. Open the FlashPanel server that will receive the data. On the overview page, in the Utilities group, click Migrate from DirectAdmin.
  2. In the Select Target Server step, the server you opened is already selected. Only change it if you want to move the data to another server.
  3. Click Next.

INFO

The target server is where your websites and databases will be migrated to. Make sure it has sufficient resources and the required services installed.

Step 2: SSH Connection ​

  1. Enter your DirectAdmin server connection details:
    • SSH Host: The IP address or hostname of your DirectAdmin server
    • SSH Port: Usually 22
    • SSH Username: Your server login username (typically root)
    • Authentication Method: Choose either:
      • SSH Password: Enter your server password
      • SSH Private Key: Paste your SSH private key
    • Use sudo: Enable this if you log in with a user other than root that needs sudo privileges
  2. Click Scan to connect and scan your DirectAdmin server

The system will automatically discover all users, websites, and databases available on your DirectAdmin server.

Step 3: Preview & Confirm ​

After scanning, you will see the results grouped by DirectAdmin user. Each user section shows their domains and databases.

Websites Section ​

  • Domains are listed under each DirectAdmin user
  • Each domain shows:
    • Domain name
    • Website file path
    • PHP version (automatically detected from DirectAdmin configuration)
    • Status badges:
      • Already Exists: The domain already exists on the target server (cannot be migrated)
      • No files: The website directory does not exist or is empty on the source server
      • Suspended: The domain is suspended on the DirectAdmin server
  • Domains with no files or that already exist on the target server are automatically disabled
  • Active domains with files are selected by default

WARNING

If your target server does not have a web server installed, you cannot select websites for migration. Install Nginx, Apache2, or OpenLiteSpeed first.

Databases Section ​

  • Databases are listed under each DirectAdmin user
  • Each database shows:
    • Database name
    • Database user
    • Status indicator if the database already exists on the target server
  • Databases that already exist will be replaced during migration (marked with Already Exists and Will be replaced)
  • All databases are selected by default

WARNING

If your target server does not have a database server installed, you cannot select databases for migration. Install MySQL or MariaDB first.

Confirmation ​

  • The total number of items to migrate is displayed at the bottom
  • Review your selections carefully
  • Click Confirm Migration to open the migration summary
  • Review the summary and click Start Migration to begin the process

WARNING

If you select databases that already exist, they will be dropped and recreated during migration. Make sure you have backups if needed.

Step 4: Migration Progress ​

Once migration starts, the progress screen displays:

  • Migration Summary: Shows the source (DirectAdmin) and target (FlashPanel) server names
  • Progress Bars: Each migration step has its own progress bar showing the step name, the completion percentage, and a color that reflects its status (running, succeeded, or failed)
  • Logs: Real-time log messages showing detailed migration steps

When the migration finishes, click New Migration if you want to migrate more data.

The migration process includes:

  1. Linux User Creation: If the DirectAdmin user does not exist on the target server, it will be created automatically

  2. Website Migration:

    • Copying website files from DirectAdmin to FlashPanel
    • Creating the website on FlashPanel
    • Automatically detecting and configuring PHP version from DirectAdmin configuration
    • Syncing web server configuration

  3. Database Migration:

    • Exporting database from DirectAdmin
    • Creating database and user on FlashPanel
    • Importing database content
    • Linking database to website (if applicable)

Notes & Warnings ​

  • Website Conflicts: If a website with the same domain already exists on the target server, it cannot be migrated. You must remove the existing website first or choose a different target server.

  • Database Replacement: Existing databases with the same name will be dropped and recreated. All data in the existing database will be lost.

  • Service Requirements:

    • Websites require a web server (Nginx, Apache2, or OpenLiteSpeed) on the target server
    • Databases require a database server (MySQL or MariaDB) on the target server

  • SSH Access: Ensure your DirectAdmin server allows SSH connections from the FlashPanel IP addresses (used for scanning) and from the target server's IP address (used to copy data). This is a common issue: make sure the DirectAdmin server's SSH port is open and the IP addresses above are not blocked by a firewall.

  • Migration Time: The time required depends on the size of your websites and databases. Large migrations may take several minutes.

  • No Downtime: The migration process does not affect your DirectAdmin server. Your websites remain online during migration.

  • User-based Structure: DirectAdmin organizes websites and databases by Linux user. The migration tool preserves this structure — each DirectAdmin user's domains are migrated under the same Linux user on the target server.

  • PHP Version: The system automatically detects the PHP version configured for each domain in DirectAdmin and sets it up on FlashPanel. If the specific PHP version is not installed on the target server, the default PHP version will be used.

  • Suspended Domains: Domains that are suspended on DirectAdmin can still be migrated. They are marked with a "Suspended" badge for your awareness.

  • Admin User: The DirectAdmin admin user is excluded from the scan as it is a system user.

  • Migration limit: On the free plan, the number of migrations is limited and shared across CyberPanel, aaPanel, and DirectAdmin. The remaining count is shown at the top of the migration page.

After the migration ​

  1. Check that the websites and databases appear on the target server and that the migration events show no errors on the Events page.
  2. Point the domain's DNS records (A/AAAA) to the target server's IP.
  3. Once the domain points to the new server, install an SSL certificate for the website (see SSL). SSL certificates are not moved over from DirectAdmin.
  4. Keep the DirectAdmin server for a while until you are sure everything works.