If you have previously installed a web application manually on your hosting package, or migrated a web application from another hosting provider, you can import it into Installatron. This allows you to benefit from Installatron's automatic updates and backup functionality.
This guide covers two import methods: importing an installation that already exists on your hosting package, and importing an external installation.
We use WordPress as an example, but the same steps apply to any other application in Installatron.
Importing an existing installation
You can import an existing application into Installatron. This is useful if you previously installed the software manually on your hosting package and want to manage it with Installatron.
1. Log in to DirectAdmin.
2. Type 'Installatron' into the menu's search field and select 'Installatron Applications Installer'.
3. Type 'WordPress' in the search bar or scroll down to the 'Content Management' section and select WordPress.
4. Click the button to the right of 'Install Application' to view the import options and select 'Import Existing Install'.
5. In the 'From this account' box, click 'Continue' to import an installation already on your hosting package.
6. Specify where the current installation is located and click 'Import.' The application will now be imported into Installatron.
Note: If the installation is not in a subdirectory, you can leave the 'Path (Optional)' field empty.
Importing an external installation
Installatron has a feature that allows you to import an installation from an external location. You can use this, for example, to transfer a Joomla or WordPress installation from your previous hosting provider to your hosting package.
This Installatron feature can be prone to errors. If you experience difficulties importing an external installation, carefully review any error messages and verify that all entered information is correct.
1. Log in to DirectAdmin.
2. Type 'Installatron' into the menu's search field and select 'Installatron Applications Installer'.
3. Type 'WordPress' in the search bar or scroll down to the 'Content Management' section and select WordPress.
4. Click the button to the right of 'Install Application' to view the import options and select 'Import Existing Install'.
5. In the 'From different account' box, click 'Continue' to import an installation from an external location to your hosting package.
6. You will now see a screen where you need to enter the details of both the old and new environments. In the fields under the 'Source' section, enter the information for the external installation.
URL | Enter the URL of the old (current) environment here. This is the address used to access the website before the migration.
URL IP Address (Optional) | Enter the IP address of the URL for the old (current) environment here.
Enter FTP login information for the above URL | These are the FTP credentials used to retrieve the files from the old (current) location. If you are unsure which details to use, contact your previous hosting provider.
Path | Enter the path where the installation can be found via FTP. If you do not know this path, you can connect using an FTP program with the credentials entered above. Then check which folder(s) lead to the root directory of the software.
In the fields under the 'Destination' section, enter the details for the new installation.
- Domain | The domain where you want to run the installation. If you have created a subdomain first, it will also appear in the list. You can also choose here to make the installation accessible via SSL (https://).
- Directory (Optional) | If you enter a value here, the installation will be placed in that folder. To make the installation immediately accessible under your domain name, leave this field empty. Just below the field, the URL where the installation will be accessible is displayed.
- Database Management | Choose 'Automatically manage the database settings for me', unless you want to enter the database settings manually.
7. When you are done, click on 'Import' at the bottom of the page.
8. The hosting server will now connect to the external location and retrieve the installation. This may take some time. You can see that the process is running by the spinning icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
9. The installation is being imported, and its progress is shown on the screen.
10. Once the import is successful, the application will be displayed in the overview, and you can click the link to view the website.
You may receive an error message about the available storage space on the source location. This happens because Installatron attempts to store some temporary files needed for the migration. Make sure that the FTP user you entered for the external location has write permissions. Also, verify that the specified path is correct.