|
Article 203
Changing Web
Hosts? Know-How With This Step-By-Step Guide
By HostVoice.net
Every webmaster cringes at the
thought of moving hosts. Like moving your home it can be messy and sometimes
problems arise. But if you follow these simple steps, your move will be less
painful.
Backup Backup Backup
If you’ve been diligent with your backups, you’ve got a lot of insurance to fall
back on yet always make the latest backup. If you haven’t, before you do
anything else, do a backup now. Backup anything and everything you can and don’t
forget your database if your site relies on it. Save at least 2 copies and store
them separately. One for you to work with, and the other as an archive. Do not
underestimate how easy it is to copy over these files as you make changes or
simply mess it up.
If you’re moving to a host who has as different control panel, make a manual
backup by downloading all your files because different control panels may not be
able to restore the backups made by your old host. They also have different
directory structures so your file trees will be in a mess. If you need to, make
a small note file with notepad with memos for you to remember the old server
configurations. This will help you as you make changes on your new host server
and save the confusion moving back and forth between hosts. Remember to make the
correct transfer type (ASCII or Binary) as you download. If your download is not
right chances are you’ll have a tough time getting your site to work on the new
host server.
If server logs are especially important, remember to backup those too. There is
no good way of moving logs yet because different hosts may log statistics
differently. So the best thing to do is to download it and use a log analyzer on
your computer to make references to later on.
Gather Odds & Ends
1. A Good FTP program which you should have by now
2. Get your new host server’s DNS
3. It’s also helpful to have a script that tells you the server environments
installed on your new host server for quick references.
4. Get the temporary URL on your new host so you can check your site before you
make a DNS change.
5. If you have your host control the domain inform them not to change your DNS
until you tell them to.
6. If you run scripts:
● Get a copy of the original installation guide and the script. Sometimes after
moving the scripts just do not work right so you might need to install the
script from scratch.
● Get a list of all the server paths such as Perl, Sendmail and home directory
on your new server.
● If your script needs special server modules or programs ensure they are
installed and where. Even though these might be covered before you ordered the
account with the host but sometimes your host has removed it or haven’t
installed it yet.
Inform Your Visitors
It is common and good practice to inform your visitors and customers of the
server move. If you run a e-store, this helps assure your customers you have not
fled with their money if there is any downtime. Also give an alternate email so
you won’t lose emails in the transfer. You might also want to give periodic
updates prior, during (if there is downtime) and after. If your site is large,
doing this is helpful because your visitors can alert you whenever there is a
part of the site not working.
Moving Day
Try to schedule the move at a time where there’s least traffic. Backup again
just before you do the move so you’ll have the latest data. Start by first
copying or creating your custom error pages onto the new host server. Put a
small note in there about the move. You can always remove it later. Then upload
the most visible parts of the site first i.e the main pages then move on to the
less critical parts of the site. If you have a large site with many divisions
you might want to split them across different days and instead move the least
critical first. Just ensure you always do a backup before you do any moving. Use
the temporary URL to check your site, visiting as many pages as you can.
Changing DNS
Once you’re satisfied, change your DNS over. This typically takes about
24-48 hours so you have time to make some minor changes if need be. You might
want to also take this time to modify your old site’s error pages to inform your
visitors of the move and give a new URL if there are URL changes. To help you
determine if the DNS has resolved, make a small change on the new pages to
differentiate between the old and the new.
Monitor
After you’ve moved and the DNS resolved, do not release the old account yet.
Keep it as long as two weeks running concurrently. Go back and check the old
servers for activity. Check your old email account and if you have a web based
contact method on the old server check to see if any communication is left
there. Once you’re comfortable all email and traffic is correctly directed to
the new host server, you can cancel that account.
This article has been contributed by the team at
HostVoice.net
HostVoice.net: Where Hosts
Compete For Your Business
Looking for a web host? Have them compete for your business! Submit a FREE,
no-risk request and receive offers within 15 minutes from qualifying hosts.
Personal, Business, eCommerce, NT, Dedicated, Reseller, Adult - we’ve got it
all!
For information on reproduction of this article, eMail us at
info@hostvoice.net
|