Server migration to new box causes .php endless loop

NLLL1337

I have been working for some days to migrate my osTicket installation from one server to another, due to changing server providers. I dumped the MySQL database to .sql file, copied the files, and then tried to set it up on the new server.

I have reviewed many support articles and tried it a few ways. On the new server, I created a new sql database of the same name and set up all permissions to a sql user with the same username and password. I imported the sql dump file and copied all files to the public_html folder where my apache2 daemon is using as the document root. When I try to load any .php file such as https://helpdeskstage.mydomain.com/index.php, the web browser tries about 10 times in succession to load the file and it stops due to a redirection loop, I believe.

access.log:

10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:37 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:37 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:37 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:37 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:37 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:37 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:38 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"
10.0.0.10 - - [06/Apr/2026:18:53:39 -0400] "GET /index.php HTTP/1.0" 302 325 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"

I am on helpdeskstage.mydomain.com for testing, but was previously on helpdesk.mydomain.com on the old server, but I don't imaging the domain name would matter.

When I try to load a static text file such as index.html, it works fine. It is only the .php files that have the problem.

old server:

new server:
Ubuntu Server 24.04
php 8.1 (was 8.4 and I downgraded to see if that would help, it did not.)
both running Apache2

Does anyone know what I did wrong?

NLLL1337

I also tried the recommended method of running the installation script and then restoring the database afterwards. I haven't gotten any method to work.

KevinTheJedi

NLLL1337

Did you ever update the include/ost-config.php file to use the new db info on the new server?

Cheers.

NLLL1337

KevinTheJedi

Yes, I did update that file to ensure the database name, db user, db password are accurate.
I have just blown away the VM in order to decrease the disk size and start anew. Will see how it goes this time.

What is the best migration path? I believe I have tried all of these, but I wish to only try the most highly recommended one:
1.
Create db + user + set permissions
Restore db from old server
Restore files from old server

2.
Create db + user + set permissions
Restore db from old server
Run installation script, then restore files afterwards from old server

3.
Create db + user + set permissions
Run installation script, then restore files afterwards from old server
Restore db from old server

Thanks a lot.

KevinTheJedi

NLLL1337

No, don’t install again. Simply dump database on old server, copy the dump and include/ost-config.php file to the new server, download v1.18.3 and any languages and plugins, upload everything to the new server, deploy code files on new server in path you desire, create a database on the new server named the same on the old server, import the old db into the new db, make sure the db user has all privileges, flush privileges, move the config file to the new include/ folder, update the file to change any db info, and you should be good to go.

If you still get an error then check all possible logs (general server logs, webserver error logs, PHP error logs, MySQL/MariaDB error logs, osTicket System Logs, Browser Console logs, etc.) for any related errors.

Cheers.

NLLL1337

KevinTheJedi

Something about the database import appears to be causing the problem.

I performed the steps you recommended, and I get an error I was getting before redoing the server completely:

apache2 access.log:
10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:17 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0" 10.0.0.10 - - [07/Apr/2026:21:21:18 -0400] "GET / HTTP/1.0" 302 316 "-" "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:148.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/148.0"

error.log: EMPTY

This is the command I am using to import the .SQL dump file from the old server:
mysql -u helpdesk_db_user1 -p helpdesk_1 < /home/username/helpdesk_1_db_backup_2026_03_31.sql

Any thoughts based on this fresh information?
THANKS.

KevinTheJedi

NLLL1337

I usually login to MySQL and source the export using the SOURCE command and local file path but that command should work just as good. Unfortunately access logs don’t help at all here; just shows 302 redirect codes.

Cheers.

NLLL1337

KevinTheJedi

Thank you for your help and advice. I was able to locate and resolve the problem. The original server had the Force HTTPS option on. Because this new server has instead established the SSL/TLS from the reverse proxy itself and not the new local server, it was causing the endless HTTPS redirection attemps after importing the database.

Going to the old server, disabling Force HTTPS, re-dumping the SQL database to a .sql file, and then importing that new SQL file to the new server is what has fixed it.

Novice mistake, I presume. Cheers.