20 replies to this topic

[Nameless_]

Hi people...

It has come to me that many people complain about changing hosts and all that because it is rather difficult and hard to do so. Which is exactly why I want to know how to change hosts and all that should I ever come to have the need to know about it. Can someone tell me how to change hosts??? (Don't worry, I won't be changing from Trap17 because I have not got a website at Trap17 yet at all, and I do not intend to let all my hard-earned myCENTS go to waste... it's just for my curiosity... )

Yeah... I mean, I really want to know how to do it... and the thing is, how hard can it be if you just linked all your back up-ed data that your web host has hosted for you and linked it to your new host? Or are there many more steps involved?

Can someone shed some light on this topic for me?

[The Simpleton]

The first step to do would be to take a backup of all your files. The next step would be to change the nameservers on your domain, so that they're pointing to your new hosts' nameservers. Then all that remains to be done is to go to your new hosts' control panel, add the domain and I think you're done!

That was a pretty short description but I dont think there's anything else to it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong please

[k_nitin_r]

I know you can simply copy the files via FTP - download them from your current host via FTP, upload them to your new host via FTP. Then, copy the database across - phpMyAdmin gives you an export option for databases. You might have to configure the MySQL host name if you aren't using "localhost" on both hosting providers.

I'm not sure of how you can transfer your domain name - the name server has to point to the new host. I'm guessing you either have to raise a support ticket or you might get a control panel to change the host that the domain is pointing to.

[rpgsearcherz]

I've done many transfers from one server to another. The main thing boils down to whether you are using a CMS site or flat file. I've dealt with both.

If you are doing flat file it's extremely easy. Just download the files and upload them to the new host. Everything will work just as it did before.

For CMS you need to get all of the files downloaded, backup the SQL databases, create new databases on the new host, import the SQL information, and then you need to go through the configuration files for your CMS/Forums/ETC. and change your login information to the new stuff (generally the IP will still just be localhost, default IP). After this you are done and everything should be a clone of your previous site, .


It's pretty easy once you understand how the SQL works. It took me a while to completely understand it but now I can do a clone within minutes after I get everything transferred.

[mahesh2k]

Moving websites could be a pain, if you've huge blog or website. Simply copying files via FTP doesn't work. Database related applications need to maintain their table and entries. In such cases moving wordpress, drupal, joomla is pain. Also after moving your website, you've to take care of DNS which takes some time to adjust for your new host.

If you're to move your wordpress installation, then take a look at these tutorial at devlounge and optiniche. Also if you're joomla user then this article will surely help you. Also before moving to another host. Keep your backup of site and don't delete it until your site runs smoothly on new server for a week. after that take a backup on new server as well. Most of the hosts do offer backups, you just need to check it.

Also if you're with hosts like dreamhost,softlayer,rackspace then their support will guide you for most of the transfer issues. Again everyone will have different experience while moving to another host. Some will have positive from their ex-host and new host side. While some will have bad experience with ex-host even during move. I suggest knowing a bit of SQL, before moving CMS/dynamic sites to new host. This will help a lot while moving to new host.

[k_nitin_r]

@rpgsearcherz

I was wondering if you've had any experience with changing the domain registration to point to the new server instead of the old one. Does the old hosting provider give you a web interface to do this, or do you have to contact one of their support staff to get this done? Also, have you ever 'lost' a domain due to lack of support from the old hosting provider?

[rpgsearcherz]

k_nitin_r, on Sep 16 2009, 09:42 AM, said:

@rpgsearcherz

I was wondering if you've had any experience with changing the domain registration to point to the new server instead of the old one. Does the old hosting provider give you a web interface to do this, or do you have to contact one of their support staff to get this done? Also, have you ever 'lost' a domain due to lack of support from the old hosting provider?

Hmm... I'm really not sure how the domain transferring works, as my only actual domain has been through Trap and they give full rights to it.

As long as the domain provider allows you to change the nameservers yourself I don't think there would be an issue. The new host you go to should supply the information (it will be listed as "NS1 and NS2" for Nameserver 1 and Nameserver 2). You would set those to the IP's set forth by the new host, and then in Cpanel you would lock in those domains (there are options in Cpanel for subdomains/domain parking/etc.).

About losing domains, I've heard of many people who have. I think it was GoDaddy that was doing the $1.99 domain registrations and then after the first year they were charging $30 for renewals and if you didn't pay it they would still keep your domain registered but under their name to keep you from going to competitors to get a cheaper one. I'm not 100% sure if that was the company but there was a huge deal about it a while back.

All of my domain transfers were from one free host to another (usually due to SQL issues of one sort or another). Honestly ever since I came to Trap I've had to do no transfers aside from between my two sites (I run "beta" sites on one hosting account and the live site on the other. It helps me iron out issues and all before I release the updates. So for those I never need to change domains or anything, just transfer the data/SQL tables and import them.).

[Nameless_]

mahesh2k, on Sep 16 2009, 05:53 PM, said:

Moving websites could be a pain, if you've huge blog or website. Simply copying files via FTP doesn't work. Database related applications need to maintain their table and entries. In such cases moving wordpress, drupal, joomla is pain. Also after moving your website, you've to take care of DNS which takes some time to adjust for your new host.

If you're to move your wordpress installation, then take a look at these tutorial at devlounge and optiniche. Also if you're joomla user then this article will surely help you. Also before moving to another host. Keep your backup of site and don't delete it until your site runs smoothly on new server for a week. after that take a backup on new server as well. Most of the hosts do offer backups, you just need to check it.

Also if you're with hosts like dreamhost,softlayer,rackspace then their support will guide you for most of the transfer issues. Again everyone will have different experience while moving to another host. Some will have positive from their ex-host and new host side. While some will have bad experience with ex-host even during move. I suggest knowing a bit of SQL, before moving CMS/dynamic sites to new host. This will help a lot while moving to new host.

Wow... you make it sound more complicated than what everyone else that replied in this thread made it...
So, it's much more complicated, or are the others right?

What I'm talking about will be a weblog, because I'm thinking to doing a weblog now first, it seems easier to make and all that. OK, I'll do lots and lots of backups... but what does everyone mean by back upping via and with the FTP? And what's the DNS server? I don't know if I asked that before... I've asked many questions, but if I have please do forgive me.

I've got a short term memory span.

And cool, thanks for the articles. I'll bookmark this in case I will ever want to or need to use it.

rpgsearcherz, on Sep 17 2009, 12:51 AM, said:

Hmm... I'm really not sure how the domain transferring works, as my only actual domain has been through Trap and they give full rights to it.

As long as the domain provider allows you to change the nameservers yourself I don't think there would be an issue. The new host you go to should supply the information (it will be listed as "NS1 and NS2" for Nameserver 1 and Nameserver 2). You would set those to the IP's set forth by the new host, and then in Cpanel you would lock in those domains (there are options in Cpanel for subdomains/domain parking/etc.).

About losing domains, I've heard of many people who have. I think it was GoDaddy that was doing the $1.99 domain registrations and then after the first year they were charging $30 for renewals and if you didn't pay it they would still keep your domain registered but under their name to keep you from going to competitors to get a cheaper one. I'm not 100% sure if that was the company but there was a huge deal about it a while back.

All of my domain transfers were from one free host to another (usually due to SQL issues of one sort or another). Honestly ever since I came to Trap I've had to do no transfers aside from between my two sites (I run "beta" sites on one hosting account and the live site on the other. It helps me iron out issues and all before I release the updates. So for those I never need to change domains or anything, just transfer the data/SQL tables and import them.).

Aw... what!? Is Godaddy.com like that? Aw... no wonder they do things so cheaply. And I was thinking of, if I ever get the $2 that I need, buy the domains off them!!! But no... there's a $30 thing that they just had to put in and not let you use it for one year. That's sucks...

Can you lose a free domain though?

[rpgsearcherz]

Nameless_, on Sep 16 2009, 03:43 PM, said:

Wow... you make it sound more complicated than what everyone else that replied in this thread made it...
So, it's much more complicated, or are the others right?

What I'm talking about will be a weblog, because I'm thinking to doing a weblog now first, it seems easier to make and all that. OK, I'll do lots and lots of backups... but what does everyone mean by back upping via and with the FTP? And what's the DNS server? I don't know if I asked that before... I've asked many questions, but if I have please do forgive me.

I've got a short term memory span.

And cool, thanks for the articles. I'll bookmark this in case I will ever want to or need to use it.



Aw... what!? Is Godaddy.com like that? Aw... no wonder they do things so cheaply. And I was thinking of, if I ever get the $2 that I need, buy the domains off them!!! But no... there's a $30 thing that they just had to put in and not let you use it for one year. That's sucks...

Can you lose a free domain though?

It all depends on the host. Some hosts require you let them "own" the domain and you rent it from them, others give you full rights. For example, with T17 you can even get a domain here and get your hosting elsewhere and they will still allow you to use your domain there (I don't condone this, obviously. It's more or less to better illustrate the point that you have *full* control over your domain).

As for your other questions:

DNS is "Dynamic Name Server" and works like this:


You type in an address, say www.google.com
If you look at the bottom of your screen (or you can use "ping" to ping the address) you will see numbers in the format XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
These numbers are the *true* website address. In fact, you can load any website by using just those numbers.

What the nameserver does is automatically update those numbers everytime you type in the domain (meaning everytime you type www.google.com it will auto update with the right address for the site).

When you change hosts but keep your domain, you are essentially just changing the numbers in which your domain will automatically update afterwards so people can use the same domain name as previously.



FTP is "File Transport Protocol/File Transfer Protocol." This is your way of uploading files to the server. No matter if you are using a CMS (Content Management System) or flat-file system (nothing but .html's linked together) you will have files there. These must be transferred to the new server to keep your existing settings.


SQL must also be transferred because this contains any articles (For CMS), posts/threads/users/etc. (for forums).

Otherwise you will be starting from scratch.



As for how hard it is to move servers, it's a little confusing at first. Once you understand what you're doing it's very easy because then you'll know what files to change each time, how to change them, and how to update everything as needed.

[Nameless_]

So, do free domain providers give you "full" rights to your domain name? (Well, for the period that you are using it?)
Also... OK...

So it'll be hard to first time, but then it'll be easy, right?