Updating and migrating Laravel projects to a new server
It is necessary to perform the update, transfer, and configuration of Laravel projects to a new server, ensuring stable operation, security, protection against exploits, and correct functioning of all services after migration. 1. Main tasks Prepare the new server for operation. Transfer project files, databases, configurations, and cron jobs. Update server software. Configure a secure environment for Laravel. Check compatibility of PHP, Laravel, Composer packages, and dependencies. Ensure protection against known exploits, malicious requests, and unauthorized access. Set up SSL certificates. Check the functionality of the websites after the transfer. 2. Transfer of Laravel projects For each project, it is necessary to: Transfer project files. Transfer the database. Transfer the .env configuration. Set directory access permissions: storage bootstrap/cache Check functionality: homepage; admin panel; authorization; forms; API; file uploads; email sending; cron jobs; queue workers.3. Security and protection It is necessary to implement basic and application-level protection: close root access via SSH; configure SSH access only via keys; change the default SSH port if necessary; configure the firewall; allow only necessary ports; install Fail2Ban; hide service versions of Nginx/Apache/PHP; restrict access to .env, .git, backup files, log files; set correct file permissions; check projects for malicious files; check Composer packages for known vulnerabilities; update dependencies if it does not break functionality; configure protection against SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and path traversal; check the correctness of Laravel APP_ENV and APP_DEBUG; set APP_DEBUG=false in production; configure rate limiting for critical endpoints; check access to storage/uploads; configure protection against PHP execution in upload directories; check access rights to admin panels. 4. SSL and domains It is necessary to: Install SSL certificates. Configure automatic SSL renewal. Enable redirect from HTTP to HTTPS. Check the correct operation of websites via HTTPS. 5. Backup It is necessary to configure backup: project files; databases; .env files; uploaded media; cron configurations; Nginx/Apache configurations. Backup should be performed automatically on a schedule. It is preferable to store copies separately from the main server. 6. Post-transfer verification After migration, it is necessary to check: absence of 500/403/404 errors; absence of critical errors in Laravel logs. 9. Result of execution After the work is completed, there should be: Laravel projects successfully transferred to the new server; websites are functioning stably; SSL is configured; the server is protected with basic security settings; access to critical files is restricted; backup is configured; cron and queues are operational; the old server can be turned off after final verification.