Thread: Switching hosts, help

I am moving some domains from one webhost to another.

The current host is being less than helpful, as you may imagine. So far they gave me an authorization code to switch and said "hope that's helpful". Right.

I seem to be missing something (more than a few brain cells?) and am not certain how to proceed.

Advice, last words, helpful hints?

Auth code for a host? That sounds more like a registar?

Yeah, you sound as if you're referring to the domain, what issues are you having?

GRIM is correct, the authorization code the old host gave you is to transfer your domain name to a new registrar. Are you looking for help transferring the web site files? If you have the web site files on your pc you can upload them via FTP to the new host. If you have databases you will have to download a backup of the database and restore it on the new server.

One of the reasons for the switch is to get off of a shared server with my ecommerce business and away from that webhost (they brought me down for almost a week just prior to Christmas!).

I am transferring the domain. It will be hosted on a virtual dedicated server. I'm comfortable moving files, but nervous about a few things. I'd like the transition to go as smoothly as possible, with little down time.

Isn't there a pretty standard process to move domains?

I think I just need the name server at the new host, correct? Then I switch the new one for the old one. Is it that simple?

It's best to keep your domains separate from the host, but yes, you simply update the nameservers to point to your new host. If your host has the domain you should transfer it out to a known registrar, like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.

Ecom sites always suck to move. Do you also need to move an SSL cert and database? Or is it just plain .html files that point to a different solution?

Are both servers utilizing the same control panel?

Originally Posted by GRIM

Ecom sites always suck to move. Do you also need to move an SSL cert and database? Or is it just plain .html files that point to a different solution?

Yeah, I'll be moving the SSL and db. I'm dreading it alright.

What I'd do is set the SSL cert up on the new server first, you could even use a self signed just to get it going.

Then when you have everything read use .htaccess to redirect all traffic to the old site to a custom page saying 'moving server' or something, you could also redirect it to an affiliate program.

I have several online stores so when I move one I'll simply redirect old server traffic to one of my other stores.

Personally I wouldn't even do that, it really depends on your access. If you have access to edit your DNS zones on the old server then the best thing for you to do to eliminate downtime would be to:

Move the sites to the new server
Install the SSL certificates/Verify sites are working correctly
Change the DNS zone on the old server to point to the new server
Change the nameservers at your domain registrar

That way your domain won't experience any downtime when propogating between the two servers as the DNS will already be serving the domain from the new server.

Originally Posted by HLJames

Personally I wouldn't even do that, it really depends on your access. If you have access to edit your DNS zones on the old server then the best thing for you to do to eliminate downtime would be to:

Move the sites to the new server
Install the SSL certificates/Verify sites are working correctly
Change the DNS zone on the old server to point to the new server
Change the nameservers at your domain registrar

That way your domain won't experience any downtime when propogating between the two servers as the DNS will already be serving the domain from the new server.

I've done in that way before as well, all depends on the situation I am faced with

Originally Posted by HLJames

Personally I wouldn't even do that, it really depends on your access. If you have access to edit your DNS zones on the old server then the best thing for you to do to eliminate downtime would be to:

Move the sites to the new server
Install the SSL certificates/Verify sites are working correctly
Change the DNS zone on the old server to point to the new server
Change the nameservers at your domain registrar

That way your domain won't experience any downtime when propogating between the two servers as the DNS will already be serving the domain from the new server.

+1 on this way and if you need help let us know.

I'll be working on it this weekend. Thank you to everyone for all your suggestions. It is very appreciated!!

I'll let you know how it goes.