Move to larger Lightsail instance

Hi erichmond63,

Migrating to a larger Amazon Lightsail instance is a common task and fairly straightforward if you're already creating snapshots. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Snapshot Creation: Before migration, it's recommended to create a snapshot to ensure all the latest data is captured.
2. Create New Instance from Snapshot:

• Go to the Amazon Lightsail console.
• Navigate to the “Snapshots” tab.
• Find the snapshot of the instance you want to upgrade.
• Click on the three-dot menu (ellipsis) on the snapshot you wish to use.
• Choose “Create new instance.”
• During the instance creation, you'll be allowed to select a new plan (bundle). Choose the desired larger instance size.
• Proceed with the instance creation process.

3. Update DNS if needed: If you are using a domain name for your website, you'll need to update your DNS settings to point to the new instance's IP address. If you've allocated a static IP address to your original instance and want to keep using that IP:

• Release the static IP from the old instance.
• Attach that static IP to the new, larger instance.

4. Test the New Instance: Before you make any DNS changes or decommission the old instance, ensure the new instance is functioning correctly. Check the website, associated services, and any backend processes to ensure everything is in order.
5. Cleanup: Once you have confirmed everything is working correctly on the new instance:

• If you're not preserving the old instance for rollback or backup purposes, you can stop or delete it to save on costs.
• Ensure you manage your snapshots efficiently. Old or unnecessary snapshots can be deleted to avoid incurring additional storage costs.

6. Monitoring: After migration, it's good practice to monitor the new instance's performance, ensuring the resources (CPU, RAM) are sufficient and the instance is not facing any bottlenecks.

Remember, while the migration process itself is relatively simple, always ensure you have backups (in this case, snapshots) before making major changes. It provides a safety net in case anything goes wrong.