Changing hosting providers

[Seareef]

I'm in the process of changing hosting providers and was wondering the best way to go about it. Can I install Vbulletin on the new server, get the data restored then change DNS? I’m trying to do this with the least amount off downtime. Thanks

C.

[Mark.B]

I'm in the process of changing hosting providers and was wondering the best way to go about it. Can I install Vbulletin on the new server, get the data restored then change DNS? I’m trying to do this with the least amount off downtime. Thanks

C.
You can copy your existing files and database over and then update the nameservers to change the DNS.

A good host should really be offering to help you do it.

[Seareef]

You can copy your existing files and database over and then update the nameservers to change the DNS.

A good host should really be offering to help you do it.


Ok, thanks Mark. One question - Will Vbulletin let me install software on my new hosting provider without uninstalling from the old server?

Thanks

[Mark.B]

Ok, thanks Mark. One question - Will Vbulletin let me install software on my new hosting provider without uninstalling from the old server?

Thanks
As long as you only have one copy "live" at any one time, yes.

Whichever copy is not "live" needs to be priotected by an .htaccess file.

[Mr_Butter]

What I would do is transfer all the files to the new host (using the IP rather than domain of course).

Then I would do an SQL dump of the forums and then restore it on the new servers. Make sure everything is working...mods...etc.

If everything seems to be working fine then turn off the real forums and produce a second SQL dump. Then I'd change the nameservers and then I'd restore the database (while DNS is propagating).

Then turn on the new forums. People on the old DNS will see the forums closed and can't make new posts; people with updated DNS will be able to post on the new server.

You could skip the "test" dump/restore but I think it's useful just to make sure the new server supports everything and it will cut down on downtime if you have problems.

Good luck!

[Mark.B]

What I would do is transfer all the files to the new host (using the IP rather than domain of course).

Then I would do an SQL dump of the forums and then restore it on the new servers. Make sure everything is working...mods...etc.

If everything seems to be working fine then turn off the real forums and produce a second SQL dump. Then I'd change the nameservers and then I'd restore the database (while DNS is propagating).

Then turn on the new forums. People on the old DNS will see the forums closed and can't make new posts; people with updated DNS will be able to post on the new server.

You could skip the "test" dump/restore but I think it's useful just to make sure the new server supports everything and it will cut down on downtime if you have problems.

Good luck!
Yeah that's largely what I did last Saturday when I moved hosts...the "old" board had a closed message so that people whose DNS hadn't updated couldn't post on the old server.

Good luck to anyone moving - if you have a good host it should be painless.

I moved seven days ago, and this time the amount of work I had to do amounted to:

1) Closing old board
2) Giving server login details to new hosts.

two hours later I was up and running. Peesy!

[gigapros]

Simply request your new host to transfer your site. make sure that you close your forum before the host starts the migration.

[eUKhost.com]

Ok, thanks Mark. One question - Will Vbulletin let me install software on my new hosting provider without uninstalling from the old server?

Thanks

if you have same control panel that your old host offered with your new hosting provider, I don't think there would be any problems with the migration.

[lbpforum.net]

Should be a easy job, defiantly if both hosts uses cPanel. My host(sig) offers help with moving. Good luck

[WayneH]

Then I would do an SQL dump of the forums and then restore it on the new servers. Make sure everything is working...mods...etc.

Hi,

I am currently in the process of moving hosts and I have a question about this stage ...

I have successfully created a new mysql database on the new server and dumped/restored my database on the new server. The front page of the website now appears OK but all the links etc point to the current URL.

Is there an easy way to fix this temporarily so that I can do some testing on the new site as I am not ready to switch over the DNS at this stage.

Thanks
Wayne