moving servers

[pimpproject]

If I started out with web hosting and wanted to later move to dedicated, is the switch seamless?

Thanks.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by pimpproject

If I started out with web hosting and wanted to later move to dedicated, is the switch seamless?

Thanks.

In terms of staying with the same host, reasonably. The sites can be moved intact, but since you'll have new IP numbers, it'll take a couple of days for them to propagate fully.

I'm not sure if they let you keep the old sites open till the new ones are available, though, since I haven't needed that service. I might, though, when I get a second server, and put my busiest site on it later this year.

[gtgeorge]

Actually there is a new feature in cpanel that can forward requests from the old server to the new which gives no downtime at all. Just move your stuff over and requests that end up at the old server are forwarded to yours while dns updates occur.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by gtgeorge

Actually there is a new feature in cpanel that can forward requests from the old server to the new which gives no downtime at all. Just move your stuff over and requests that end up at the old server are forwarded to yours while dns updates occur.

Neat. I have to look that over.

Are we talking about URL redirecting or what?

[kompreszor]

The way I think works best is to:

1. Get the new server.
2. Copy the old site to the new server.
3. Test it and make sure everything is working.
4. Point the domain to the new DNS.
5. Watch the server logs on the old site.
6. When you stop getting hits for a few days take it down.

This way the transition will be completely seamless, as the new IP propagates people will slowly be switched from the old site to the new and never notice the difference. Unless.. you have a BB or something similar, then you may be missing a few posts.

[Serra]

Originally Posted by kompreszor

The way I think works best is to:

1. Get the new server.
2. Copy the old site to the new server.
3. Test it and make sure everything is working.
4. Point the domain to the new DNS.
5. Watch the server logs on the old site.
6. When you stop getting hits for a few days take it down.

This way the transition will be completely seamless, as the new IP propagates people will slowly be switched from the old site to the new and never notice the difference. Unless.. you have a BB or something similar, then you may be missing a few posts.

Actually, you can point the DNS on the old server directly to the new server, then requests to the old server get forwarded to the new server.

[YukonMaster]

Works better for forums this way. As all posts will be made on the DB residing on the new server so no posts will be lost.

1. Get the new server.
2. Copy the old site to the new server.
3. Test it and make sure everything is working.
4. Point old server forum config database to the new server, making sure that the new server is accepting external connections etc.
5. Point the domain to the new DNS.
6. Watch the server logs on the old site.
7. When you stop getting hits for a few days take it down.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by YukonMaster

Works better for forums this way. As all posts will be made on the DB residing on the new server so no posts will be lost.

1. Get the new server.
2. Copy the old site to the new server.
3. Test it and make sure everything is working.
4. Point old server forum config database to the new server, making sure that the new server is accepting external connections etc.
5. Point the domain to the new DNS.
6. Watch the server logs on the old site.
7. When you stop getting hits for a few days take it down.

While the DNS is propagating, you also have to close your forums and block comments on your blogs while this is happening.

[Goddess Dix]

i prefer this order-

buy the new server.
ask hg to move everything.
check hg work at the new server.
change dns.
have a drink.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by Goddess Dix

i prefer this order-

buy the new server.
ask hg to move everything.
check hg work at the new server.
change dns.
have a drink.

And close your forums and blog comments

[YukonMaster]

Originally Posted by rockoids

While the DNS is propagating, you also have to close your forums and block comments on your blogs while this is happening.

That is only if you do the traditional method of transferring. If you do what I pointed out above, you won't need to. Because whether you are accessing the old server or the new server all the posts go to the new server's database. And if you are on the old server, it will poll the database on the new server to make posts and pull information.

[gtgeorge]

For more info on the new feature for moving servers see:

http://forums.cpanel.net/showthread.php?t=76972