{"id":2276,"date":"2018-05-05T13:42:23","date_gmt":"2018-05-05T08:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=2276"},"modified":"2026-09-30T08:56:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T03:26:44","slug":"change-mysql-data-directory-on-cpanel-safely-move-mysql-data-directory-centos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pheonixsolutions.com\/blog\/change-mysql-data-directory-on-cpanel-safely-move-mysql-data-directory-centos\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Safely Move the MySQL Data Directory on cPanel\/CentOS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Post Date<\/strong>: May 5, 2018
Last Updated<\/strong>: September 19, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By default, MySQL stores its database files under \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/code>. When the existing MySQL data directory requires additional storage, better disk allocation, or a dedicated filesystem, it may be necessary to move the MySQL data directory to another location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains how to safely move the MySQL data directory from \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/code> to \/home\/mysql<\/code> on a cPanel\/CentOS server. The procedure includes copying the existing database files, stopping MySQL, performing a final synchronization, updating the MySQL configuration, and restarting the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before moving the MySQL data directory, ensure the following requirements are met:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Root or sudo access<\/strong> to the server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Sufficient disk space<\/strong> is available in \/home<\/code> to store the complete MySQL data directory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. A valid backup<\/strong> of the MySQL databases is available before making any changes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Verify the current MySQL data directory, normally \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Schedule a maintenance window<\/strong>, as MySQL must be stopped during the final synchronization and configuration change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Ensure no critical applications or websites are actively writing to the databases during the migration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n

    Implementation<\/h2>\n

    This post explains how to move or set up a different data directory for the MySQL application. If no database exists, skip the first step. This post deals with moving the data directory to \/home\/mysql<\/p>\n

    Create an existing data directory in a tar file. The default data directory for MySQL is \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/em><\/p>\n

    tar -cvf mysql.tar \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/code><\/p>\n

    Create the directory \/home\/mysql<\/p>\n

    mkdir -p \/home\/mysql<\/code><\/p>\n

    Now, rsync the data directory from \/var\/lib\/mysql to \/home\/mysql. If the data directory is huge, then we recommend running the rsync process in screen<\/p>\n

    screen -S rsync<\/code><\/p>\n

    rsync -avp \/var\/lib\/mysql\/ \/home\/mysql<\/code><\/p>\n

    Press\u00a0Ctrl + A +\u00a0 D\u00a0<\/strong>to come out of screen<\/p>\n

    Depending on the size of the directory, it may take a little while.\u00a0 Now, open the screen and view the progress state.<\/p>\n

    screen -ls<\/code><\/p>\n

    screen -x screenID<\/code><\/p>\n

    Now, stop the MySQL service.<\/p>\n

    \/etc\/init.d\/mysql stop<\/code><\/p>\n

    Initiate the rsync process again to copy the data directory.<\/p>\n

    rsync -avp --delete \/var\/lib\/mysql\/ \/home\/mysql\/<\/code><\/p>\n

    Change the permissions of the new data directory with mysql<\/p>\n

    chown -R mysql.mysql \/home\/mysql<\/code><\/p>\n

    Edit the mysql configuration with new data directory(\/etc\/my.cnf)<\/p>\n

    vi \/etc\/my.cnf<\/p>\n

    <\/code>datadirectory=\/home\/mysql<\/p>\n

    Now, start the MySQL service.<\/p>\n

    \/etc\/init.d\/mysql start<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Moving the MySQL data directory to \/home\/mysql<\/code> can help when additional storage or a dedicated filesystem is required. The migration should be performed carefully by first copying the existing data, stopping MySQL, running a final rsync<\/code> synchronization, correcting ownership, updating the MySQL configuration, and then starting the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After the migration, verify that MySQL starts successfully and that the databases are accessible from the cPanel accounts and applications. Keep the original \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/code> data intact until the new data directory has been fully verified and confirmed to be working correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    1. What is the default MySQL data directory?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The default MySQL data directory is usually:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \/var\/lib\/mysql<\/code><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Why would I move the MySQL data directory?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The data directory may be moved when additional storage is required, a separate filesystem is available, or better disk-space management is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Can I move the MySQL data directory while MySQL is running?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It is recommended to stop the MySQL service before performing the final synchronization and changing the data directory configuration. This helps ensure that all database files are copied consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Related Articles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Configure Dreamweaver to access MySQL database via FTP \u2013 cPanel \u2013 Access database via remote connection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Talk to our experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Looking for the right technology solution for your business?. Our experts can help with web hosting, domain registration, DevOps and cloud, software development, web applications, mobile applications, and enterprise solutions. Get in touch with our team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Post Date: May 5, 2018Last Updated: September 19, 2026 Introduction By default, MySQL stores its database files under \/var\/lib\/mysql. 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