Migrating AWS Lightsail to AnubizHost
Lightsail is AWS's beginner-friendly VPS product - cheap, simple, but still subject to AWS terms and jurisdiction. This guide covers moving a Lightsail instance to an AnubizHost offshore VPS with similar pricing, simpler billing in crypto, and offshore privacy posture.
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Inventory the Lightsail Setup
From the Lightsail console, note the instance plan ($5, $10, $20, etc.), region, attached block storage, static IP, and any firewall rules. Lightsail's $10 plan (2 vCPU, 4GB, 80GB SSD) maps to AnubizHost VPS II.
If you installed a blueprint (WordPress, LAMP, Node.js), note the versions and any modifications to the default config. These need to be replicated on the destination.
Provision AnubizHost Equivalent
Order an offshore VPS matching the Lightsail plan. Romania at $17.90/mo is closest to Lightsail $10/mo with significantly better specs (NVMe SSD, more RAM, full root). Iceland at the same tier gives stronger privacy jurisdiction.
SSH in, install matching packages, replicate firewall. If Lightsail used a blueprint, install the equivalent stack: WordPress with LEMP, Node.js with nvm, etc.
Transfer Filesystem Data
Standard rsync from the running Lightsail instance:
rsync -aHAXv --numeric-ids --delete \
--exclude={"/dev","/proc","/sys","/tmp","/run","/mnt","/media","/lost+found"} \
/ root@NEW_IP:/For block storage volumes, mount on the source, rsync to equivalent location on target. Lightsail's automatic snapshots are AWS-proprietary; export final state via filesystem rsync, not snapshot.
Cut Over DNS, Static IP, and Firewall
Lower DNS TTL 24 hours ahead. Flip A records to the AnubizHost IP at cutover. Lightsail static IPs don't transfer - you get a fresh IP from AnubizHost. Update any IP-whitelisted services (payment processors, monitoring) ahead of time.
Re-issue Let's Encrypt with certbot. Verify externally. Keep Lightsail running for 7 days, then delete the instance and static IP separately to avoid trailing charges.
Why Leave Lightsail
Lightsail bandwidth is metered with overage charges; AnubizHost is unmetered at the listed bandwidth tier. AWS jurisdiction means subpoena exposure; AnubizHost is offshore. Lightsail billing is credit card; AnubizHost accepts crypto for anonymous payment. Related reading: offshore VPS, EC2 migration, anonymous hosting.
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