Backup and Restore Strategy

["Bob Freemer" <bob.freemer@medomics.com>]

I've got a server that's running great, but it's on an old AMD 300MHz
machine and I'd like to transition to an entirely new system (with
different SCSI etc.).  What's the best way to go about copying?  I've
heard I can repopulate /usr/bin with some apt-based method so I don't need
to back all that up.  I'd like to minimize the required backup size if
possible.

I'd really like the ability to do a minimal debian reinstall and then
simply copy over appropriate files and do apt-get dist-upgrade or
something like that.  Modifying /etc/fstab might be required but other
than that any other issues to concern myself with?

Thanks,
Bob