Web host migration tip

[gladiator]

I am due to move to a new web host. The transfer will definitely cause some disruption on my site uptime. What should be the best scheme to enable me to reduce site downtime as a result of the transfer.

[subodh]

Follow simple steps:
1.Change nameserver of domain as it take much time
2. Don't upload any new file to your existing host also disable same for site members
3.Through backup option select to create backup and in the otion select transfer to ftp server(which is your new hosting account)
4.It will take few hours with respect to your site size
5.Restore the site, in the meanwhile some additions may done to database of old site (like increase in visitors count, forum posts, article)
6.Backup the database and restore it on new site and delete old account quickly.
It may cause only 1-2 hours of downtime.
I have used this technique on my one site. No data loss.

[wesley]

Another point I would add is to ask your host what the "pre-propogation link" is.

This link will help you determine any error and problems in your setup while the new DNS is resolving. If you can fix the bugs before your customers see the site moved, this would be better. Especially if you have high traffic numbers. You want as little down time as possible.

[yogesh]

Here is what I did when I transferred my sites to new host:

1. I setup the account at the new host using my spare domain.
2. Transferred all the content and scripts, restored the database and ensured every thing worked well.
3. Changed the DNS at the new host and registrar to ensure the old domain was now pointing at the new host.

This ensured minimum downtime and also ensured there were no hiccups. And in case of any problem all I would have had to do, would be to once again point the domain to the old account and fix the problem at the new host.

[gladiator]

All the tips mentioned above are all helpful. There is one important requirement which I think was overlooked. That is you should not cut or close your old account not until you are sure that everything is running fine on your new web host.

[India forum]

Originally Posted by subodh

Follow simple steps:
1.Change nameserver of domain as it take much time
2. Don't upload any new file to your existing host also disable same for site members
3.Through backup option select to create backup and in the otion select transfer to ftp server(which is your new hosting account)
4.It will take few hours with respect to your site size
5.Restore the site, in the meanwhile some additions may done to database of old site (like increase in visitors count, forum posts, article)
6.Backup the database and restore it on new site and delete old account quickly.
It may cause only 1-2 hours of downtime.
I have used this technique on my one site. No data loss.

Thanks dude My question was just like gladiator's question.

Jay

[1mak]

i would transfer the files from old to the new host.

if possible i would do that by server-to-server transfer, so that you dont need to download and upload again the files.


after the files are at its right place change the dns server config.