Changing domain hosts, any potential dangers to watch out for?

[MulLa]

Hi all,

We're about to change domain host. I know it might be different in every country but what's the general procedures?

I should approach the new host and tell them that I wanted to transfer my current host to you and they'll take care of the rest?

Would there be potential downtime with DNS propergation? We will change e-mail host together at the same time, anyone see this as a potential problem? Namely, lost e-mails during the changes of DNS records to the new mail server.


thanks everyone in advance.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: MulLa
I should approach the new host and tell them that I wanted to transfer my current host to you and they'll take care of the rest?

I've switched web hosts with zero downtime and no e-mails were lost. In my situation the old and new web hosts both used the same control panel (cPanel) and the new web host changed my DNS zones with the old web host, resulting in zero down time and no lost e-mails.

This is usually something your new web host will offer to do for you. If you go with a quality web host provider they'll gladly offer to move your sites and email for free and quickly.

 

[spidey07]

changing domain name servers isn't a big deal.

set the TTLs to one hour
freeze any changes to the zone
copy zone file to new name server
update registrar
wait 48 hours before taking old name server out of service.

 

[cmetz]

MulLa, set up a MX record with new and old servers in priority order, and have some period (a weekend, for example) of overlap where both servers are able to receive your mail.

 

[MulLa]

RossMAN: I'll be sure to ask these questions when I approach my new host.

Spidey07: well I don't have direct control to the DNS servers (hosted) so I don't think I'll be able to perform those But still good info to know how it should be done!

Cmetz: meaning I should put the new e-mail host as first priority? Again I think I won't be able to perform that since all our services are hosted at the moment. DNS and e-mail. Wish the boss would give us more budget to at least setup Exchange!
:disgust: