Moving A Site With Little Down Time

[Shim]

Hi all,

 

My domain name (I am the person that it is registered to) is through 000domains

My host is Slabhost/iFonction

I am using Cpanel 9

Mysql and PHP

 

I have read several posts but, I am still confused about how to transfer my site to TCH without much downtime.

 

Can someone tell me step by step what to do?

 

BTW, when I go to Cpanel to do a full backup of my site, it says that "this feature is not enabled on this machine." I have contacted Slabhost/iFonction to get more info, but I have still not heard from them.

 

 

 

 

Thanks in advance

[TCH-Rob]

1. Get your hosting account here.

2. Upload your site to your space here. (tough to do if you cant do a backup of your databases).

3. Point your name servers here.

 

Someone may be along that can assist better in how you can transfer your files.

[TCH-Don]

In your cpanel,

do you have a link to

 

Home Directory

Download a home directory Backup

 

when you hold the mouse over it

it should show a tar.gz file with the current date at the end.

And to the right there should be a corresponding upload browse button to restore.

 

If so, this is all but the databases and e-mail alias and filters.

which you should be able you also download just below that.

 

 

then on your account here goto cpanel > backup

 

and look for

Restore a Home Backup

 

browse to home directory backup on your computer and upload

do the same with the databases and filters.

 

If this is not possible,

you can export your databases in php-MySql manager

and the create them here and import the data back into the database here.

For the files, using ftp copy each folder to your computer and upload them here.

 

It may be possible for the techs here to transfer your site,

but if features are locked, maybe not.

You can ask in a help ticket after you sign up.

 

If you need any thing just ask,

hope to see your around soon.

[JeffC]

Nothing personal, guys, but those of us less savvy need more help. I've got a domain registered with Network Solutions and am currently hosted on a partner's machine. Step-by-step, can you describe how I should migrate with the least amount of email or ftp downtime. Also, how much downtime should I plan for?

 

Thanks

[TCH-Rob]

Jeff,

 

It depends, do you have cPanel at your current host? If not you will need to use an FTP program to move your site. If you have a copy on your local hard drive as you should then all you have to do is upload your files to your space here. The problem is your databases and getting them moved. If you have cPanel then follow Dons steps above.

 

If you cant get cPanel to make a back up we can try and assist or you will need your current hosts help. Get your space here forst and transfer your files before you change your name servers to ours at your registrar.

 

DNS can take 72 hours to fully make the change. Can you experience down time the full 72 hours? Yes. Will you for sure. Probably not.

 

It can be different for each hosting transfer. What is your setup like there? Do you have a copy on your hard drive?

[JeffC]

Thanks for the quick reply, Rob.

 

We do not have cPanel, but use wsFTP_Pro regularly. I do have a copy of the files needed for the site on my hard drive, so that part of the migration should be pretty easy. Also, we do not use databases, so that's a non-issue.

 

Since it can take up to 72 hours, I guess I'd prolly do the migration Friday evening and hope for the best. Do I notify NSI or do you guys take care of that?

[JeffC]

Just thought of something else...since the transfer doesn't actually take place until NSI changes its name server info, I could have the site all ready to go prior to Friday evening. Then, alert them to the change Friday evening and let the change propogate from that point. Right?

[TCH-Rob]

Just thought of something else...since the transfer doesn't actually take place until NSI changes its name server info, I could have the site all ready to go prior to Friday evening. Then, alert them to the change Friday evening and let the change propogate from that point. Right?

Yes and you change the servers there. This will minimize the downtime.

[TCH-Bruce]

And if you leave both sites up for about a week with no changes you will experience no downtime. You will have to use IP addresses to check your email until propogation takes place but that's not a big deal. Just change your current email addresses to use your current IP address and add new accounts with the TCH IP numbers. Once propogation completes change the new accounts to use your domain name and delete the old one.

 

I also suggest making a slight change to the index page of your site (only one of them). When the change appears/disappears you'll know you are accessing the site from your new home.

 

That's how I did it.

Edited May 19, 2004 by TCH-Bruce

[TCH-Rob]

And if you leave both sites up for about a week with no changes you will experience no downtime

 

99% of the time this is yes. Dont kill Bruce if it isnt perfect.

[TCH-Bruce]

And if you leave both sites up for about a week with no changes you will experience no downtime

 

99% of the time this is yes. Dont kill Bruce if it isnt perfect.

Yes, I should have said:

 

And if you leave both sites up for about a week with no changes you should experience no downtime

[DarqFlare]

The only downtime I could forsee is if the other webhost dies before the propagation is 100% done.

[TCH-Rob]

Just my observations from working at Go Daddy, it happens. Take it for what you will.

[JeffC]

Ok. I'm going to move the DNS pointers today. I'm mostly concerned with email being down. The existing host will stay up for about a week per your instructions.

 

BTW, I assume our ftp files go in the "public_ftp" folder?

 

Thanks for all your help, guys, it's really appreciated.

[DarqFlare]

public_ftp is for anonymous FTP, which we don't actually support here at TCH.

 

For files to be viewed on the web, put them in puclih_html

[JeffC]

Thanks Robert.

 

Somewhat of a different question here...

 

Our site will have TONS of ftp folders (2 per client) and I'd like to keep them separate from our html stuff. Can I create a folder named "ftp_data" (for example) and then add sub-folders off that. The tree would look like this:

 

public_html

|__ftp_data

|__client1

|__client2

|__client3, etc.

 

When I enter new ftp info in cpanel, it seems to default to a folder off public_html. Is there a way to change that?

[TCH-Don]

Jeff I answered this same question for you in your other post

http://www.totalchoicehosting.com/forums/i...indpost&p=68298