Migrating MySQL Database to New Server

[Steve Ungar]

I have a Windows MyMSQL 5.5 database that I need to migrate to a new server. While I have some knowledge of MySQL it's not extensive so could use some advise on the best way to migrate the data.

The C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.5\data directory is about 50GB split across a couple databases, but there’s only a couple GB free on the existing server. Most of the space is from the xxxx.bin.##### files, which I think are the binlog files. I know there are ways to trim these, but I'm new enough that I'm nervous about something not working and everything going kaput.

Couple questions, but open to other better ideas:

- can I install MySQL on the new server, stop MySQL service on both systems, and just copy the entire C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.5\data directory to the new server and have it work? If so, do I need to copy the binlog files also or just the database directories?

- looking into whether I can add disk space to the existing server. However, with the databases being big, I haven’t had success with the mysqldump approach. I can dump the data, but when I try to load it back in it errors out after a while, maybe because the file is too big? Are there other export/import options? I'll need other export/import options for other things if there's a better way.

Appreciate the help.