How to avoid Downtime when migrating to a new web host?

Travis · #1 (**permalink**) 17-12-10, 05:24 AM

We generally keep moving websites due to upgrades and change of servers or a new web host. What do you think it the best way or things to take care when migrating. How do you think we can avoid Downtime when migrating to a new web host?

davedj · #2 (**permalink**) 17-12-10, 11:34 AM

Well it depends what control panels you use.. similar control panels makes it easy. They generally help you migrate the complete data including emails, databases.

neoanderson120 · #3 (**permalink**) 17-12-10, 11:38 AM

I personally think and have experienced linux migrations go well when compared to windows. Linux generally uses cPanel which migrates complete data to the new server without much time and pains

martyn · #4 (**permalink**) 17-12-10, 05:49 PM

Can anyone let me know what happens if we have different control panels on two different hosting plans. How does the migration takes place then ?

**Ross** · #5 (**permalink**) 18-12-10, 01:00 AM

If you have different control panels on different hosting plans, you will have to take a backup of your entire data along with complete database onto your local machine and then upload that manually onto our servers. Incase if you face any problems while uploading the data, we will assist you in that.

Matt123 · #6 (**permalink**) 18-12-10, 07:53 AM

I think cpanel to cpanel migrations go really well. WHM provides the migration options which makes it very easy to transfer the complete data including emails, user files databases and so on..

**Rachel** · #7 (**permalink**) 18-12-10, 08:22 AM

When migrating data between servers, it is highly recommended to keep both the servers running, the one you are migrating data from and the new one. When you keep the old server running, the websites keep resolving from either servers and that way you face little or no downtime.

Travis · #8 (**permalink**) 18-12-10, 08:43 AM

Little or no downtime sounds great. However, I still don't understand how that works? Do I keep data on two servers ?

**Rachel** · #9 (**permalink**) 18-12-10, 09:05 AM

Once the migration is complete and you have changed the DNS, you should keep the old server running until the websites resolve completely from the new server. That way the websites resolve from either of the servers and there's little or no downtime.

**Sanersone** · #10 (**permalink**) 18-12-10, 09:11 AM

Basically, when you change DNS after migrating accounts on the new server, the domains pick either of the dns and resolve to them.

Travis · #11 (**permalink**) 20-12-10, 05:09 AM

Alright I get that now.. what happens if the server uses private nameservers? what is the best way to go about with DNS then?

**Rachel** · #12 (**permalink**) 20-12-10, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis

Alright I get that now.. what happens if the server uses private nameservers? what is the best way to go about with DNS then?

In that case you only modify the nameserver IP's
Login to your domain registrar's control panel and change the IP's of the nameservers and point them to new IP's.

That way you don't need to change nameservers for any domain names on your server.

Francesca · #13 (**permalink**) 20-12-10, 07:13 AM

I updated the DNS for my domain name. It resolves fine from open proxies. Also, it resolves correctly if I use IE. Unfortunately, can't view through Firefox, my favorite Web browser. Can anyone tell me what could be the reason?

Travis · #14 (**permalink**) 20-12-10, 09:41 AM

When did you last update DNS on this domain? You need to allow 48hrs for the domain to propagate.

**Sanersone** · #15 (**permalink**) 21-12-10, 05:38 AM

If your website is resolving fine from IE and other web browsers and the problem is only with Firefox, clear the cache and cookies on Firefox. It should work fine