Migrate data to Easy Virtual Machine

Introduction

This guide will show you how to import older Application or Redmine data into the Easy Software virtual machine (VM). This is useful when migrating from a previous server to the new Docker-based VM. By following these steps, you’ll move your database and files to the new environment.

This method may not work if your original Redmine instance uses third-party plugins.

Target Audience

Administrator

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

Access to both the source environment and the target VM
Installed Docker and running Easy Software VM
Basic knowledge of terminal and Docker
Backup of source data

How to Migrate Data to Easy Virtual Machine

Step 1: Create MySQL dump from source

On your source server, export the database:

mysqldump --opt easy > backup.sql

Step 2: Transfer dump to target VM

Copy the backup.sql file into your target VM using scp, shared folder, or any method you prefer.

Step 3: Access application container on the target

docker exec -it docker-app-1 bash

Step 4: Recreate database

Inside the container, drop and create the database:

bundle exec rake db:drop db:create RAILS_ENV=production DISABLE_DATABASE_ENVIRONMENT_CHECK=1

Then exit the container:

exit

Step 5: Import backup.sql

Import the database into MySQL:

mysql [db_name] < backup.sql

Replace [db_name] with the actual name of your application database.

Step 6: Transfer attachments and files

Copy files from the source Redmine:

[SOURCE]/files

to the VM folder:

/home/easy/docker/files

Step 7: Access container again

docker exec -it docker-app-1 bash

Step 8: Install the application

Inside the container, run:

bundle exec rake easyproject:install RAILS_ENV=production

Then exit the container:

exit

Step 9: Restart the application

Go to:

/home/easy/docker

Then restart Docker:

docker compose down; docker compose up -d

Conclusion

You have successfully migrated data from an older Redmine or Application setup to your Easy Virtual Machine. All your database and files are now running in the Docker-based environment.