Local PHP/MySQL server migration
- auditing Debian, PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, Apache/Nginx and cron jobs before the change
- new environment, backup, application tests and cutover plan
- after migration: monitoring, security updates and backup checks
SysGroup / IT case studies
IT implementations, SysGroup projects
Case studies
Example scenarios showing how SysGroup works: from risk assessment and safe change execution to monitoring and ongoing supervision.
Example scenariosProblem → actions → outcomeMigrations, servers, backupLinks to related services
Shop server outage
- diagnosing a performance problem
- restoring services
- deploying monitoring and backup checks
Taking over IT
- initial audit
- access onboarding
- agreeing the SLA and daily ticket handling
Case study — typical project scenario
Safe migration of an on-premises PHP/MySQL server
A company used an on-premises Debian 11 server for an important PHP application and database. The application required a newer PHP version, the previous administrator could not perform the change, and the environment had needed little intervention for years.
Situation and risk
A direct multi-version system upgrade could expose incompatibilities in PHP, extensions, the database or web configuration. Outdated documentation would also make recovery from a failed change harder.
Plan and actions
The work starts with an inventory of services, cron jobs, domains, certificates and application dependencies. A backup is then tested, a new Debian 13 environment is prepared, and testing, cutover and rollback plans are agreed.
Business outcome
The change has a predictable maintenance window and a tested route back. After cutover, the company has organised access, concise environment documentation, monitoring of key services and a schedule for updates and backup checks.
At every stage, we discuss the available options and advise on the next steps whenever questions arise. Before choosing an in-place upgrade or a migration, we assess the current state of the application installation and server environment, then recommend potential corrections or hardening. Reviewing the application code and its compatibility with the new PHP version remains the responsibility of its developer.
How we start
First we establish the current state and the required diagnostic scope. We then agree responsibility, SLA, ticket flow and a plan for taking over access, documentation and monitoring.