user6712: I've moved my bitcoind process to a new server, I made a backup of my .bitcoin folder (I'm using linux). I would really like to avoid downloading the whole blockchain again.
What's the right way to import all the blk00000.dat files? Is it enough to move the .bitcoin folder over the new one?
EDIT: I see the Loadblock option but I suppose I should run it after move the file outside.Anyone can confirm this? Is there a better way?

user6540: Copy these files to a exact Bitcoin Data folder on your Ubuntu (~/.bitcoin/) and then run client to download the latest blocks available. To synchronize with the blockchain run bitcoind with command -reindex bitcoind -reindex.

user12835: I've just posted this in response to another question, but will post again as using bootstrap.dat is by far the best way to get a node up and running.
If you are downloading the blockchain from scratch I strongly recommend using the bootstrap.dat file, which allows your computer to simply verify blocks and import them without needing to download for days or even weeks on end.
The main issue with downloading from the network is that your client will only download one block at a time. It starts with block #1 and will not try to download anything except for block #2 after block #1 is verified, and so on. As you can imagine, with network latency this can become a rather painful process, as you have endured.
The bootstrap.dat file is widely available on bittorrent, torrent files can be found here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/bitcoin/files/Bitcoin/blockchain/
Direct torrent link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/bitcoin/files/Bitcoin/blockchain/bootstrap.dat.torrent/download
Downloading the bootstrap.dat file is just as secure as downloading the blockchain from peers, but since all the data is already there, the only latency you suffer between blocks is going to your hard drive and finding the next block.
You simply need to place the bootstrap.dat in your %appdata%\Bitcoin folder, (on linux/unix in your .bitcoin folder) the file will be renamed bootstrap.dat.old when the data import is complete. Using this it took me only 4 hours to catch up with the network, as opposed to the 1-2 weeks it took me before reformatting on the same computer.

6712: <p>I've moved my bitcoind process to a new server, I made a backup of my .bitcoin folder (I'm using linux). I would really like to avoid downloading the whole blockchain again.</p>

<p>What's the right way to import all the blk00000.dat files? Is it enough to move the .bitcoin folder over the new one?</p>

<p>EDIT: I see the Loadblock option but I suppose I should run it after move the file outside.Anyone can confirm this? Is there a better way?</p>
 6540: <p>Copy these files to a exact Bitcoin Data folder on your Ubuntu (~/.bitcoin/) and then run client to download the latest blocks available. To synchronize with the blockchain run bitcoind with command -reindex <code>bitcoind -reindex</code>.</p>
 12835: <p>I've just posted this in response to another question, but will post again as using bootstrap.dat is by far the best way to get a node up and running.</p>

<p>If you are downloading the blockchain from scratch I strongly recommend using the bootstrap.dat file, which allows your computer to simply verify blocks and import them without needing to download for days or even weeks on end.</p>

<p>The main issue with downloading from the network is that your client will only download one block at a time. It starts with block #1 and will not try to download anything except for block #2 after block #1 is verified, and so on. As you can imagine, with network latency this can become a rather painful process, as you have endured.</p>

<p>The bootstrap.dat file is widely available on bittorrent, torrent files can be found here: <a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/bitcoin/files/Bitcoin/blockchain/" rel="nofollow">http://sourceforge.net/projects/bitcoin/files/Bitcoin/blockchain/</a></p>

<p>Direct torrent link: <a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/bitcoin/files/Bitcoin/blockchain/bootstrap.dat.torrent/download" rel="nofollow">http://sourceforge.net/projects/bitcoin/files/Bitcoin/blockchain/bootstrap.dat.torrent/download</a></p>

<p>Downloading the bootstrap.dat file is just as secure as downloading the blockchain from peers, but since all the data is already there, the only latency you suffer between blocks is going to your hard drive and finding the next block.</p>

<p>You simply need to place the bootstrap.dat in your %appdata%\Bitcoin folder, (on linux/unix in your .bitcoin folder) the file will be renamed bootstrap.dat.old when the data import is complete. Using this it took me only 4 hours to catch up with the network, as opposed to the 1-2 weeks it took me before reformatting on the same computer.</p>
