p.s. @PlymouthExpat -- so I understand IMAP/SMTP etc, but your " ________________" don't really add anything. What exactly are you trying to say?
Does your quote of a load of underline characters mean that you consider my whole post doesn't add anything? A little curt, don't you think, when I was merely trying to assist you, someone who has already admitted that Roundcube is a novelty. At no time have you mentioned the eventual location of the IMAP and SMTP servers; where your IMAP server stores its data files (emails and management files) is of greater importance to you than the location of the Roundcube installation, as Roundcube is only an IMAP client (as already mentioned).
You are moving your Roundcube web folder to a VPS, for which you have direct (and full) access. If, by that, you mean you will be using FTP to manage the VPS's facilities, I suggest you consider something like Webmin, which will not only give a graphical interface for the FTP function, but give intimate control of all other aspects of the VPS, including software installations and upgrades.
Essentially, you have given insufficient information to explain the full context of your current configuration and that of your future configuration, both of which are outside of the normal operating parameters of Roundcube.
"________________" was what I saw on your original post, so yes, that post didn't add anything. I see that SKaero edited the post on 12/26, which does add more information. My apologies if you thought I was being "curt". I meant no disrespect, just communicating that "___________" is not helpful.
My apologies if you feel I didn't give enough information about what my original request. I assumed most everyone already understood the differences between a shared hosting environment and a VPS environment. I also thought I made it clear that we're moving to a new hosting company which means that the database and email servers WILL change by default. If you feel I didn't offer enough information, then perhaps it would have been appropriate to have asked for clarification or more information.
In general and depending on the hosting company, in a shared hosting environment the web master DOES NOT have root or super user privileges. So even though a web master has access to the /home/etc directory where RoundCube stores it's files, there are no database privileges to do any kind of table dump so it turns out this solution isn't an option. (If RoundCube already creates database "restore" files automatically as it's backup, I as a novice user wouldn't know about them or even if they'd be compatible on a different hosting company and structure.
I presumed that changing hosting companies AND changing from shared to VPS would naturally change the way RoundCube would store and access it's files, including configuration files. This is why I asked for guidance being a RoundCube novice. I also don't recall saying RoundCube is a novelty.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is not a tool I would use to perform system administration tasks anywhere (although depending on the interface, I suppose it could be done Adhoc). In general, I usually don't use a WYSYWIG app to do system administration work. I typically use SSH in a Command Line Interface, which when used with a private/public key combination is a very secure method for communications between systems and is generally efficient and powerful.
By the way, I am not using a DOS/Windows machine locally so any DOS/Windows apps are useless for me.
Really, thank you for taking the time to contribute to the thread.