Hi all,

I have a situation that I hope someone can help with.

I have designed a website for a client and require a windows server to install it on. I have done this.

The client domain currently points at a linux server. It stores its email etc.

What I want to do is, change the domain name and point it at the windows server. I hope to minimize downtime. The main issue is with the email address. I do not want a situation the client dont lose emails or not receive them during the changeover.

What is the best approach to this? Please ask questions if I havent explained myself clearly.

Thanks.

Best approach is to setup all the email accounts on the new host keeping the same passwords for all accounts if possible.

Once you change the DNS to point at the new server ... things will just changeg over ....

However depending if the client is keeping all the old emails on the server ... you may need to copy them first ?

Assuming that the mail server is running from mail.domainname.com and both hosts have the same setup ... things should just transition smoothly

__________________
Forbairt Media | Web Design & Development Galway / Dublin, Ireland - coming soon ... ( vague but descriptive isn't it )
Recent Work: Safari Club African Safari Holidays - South Africa Safaris
Other Stuff: FluffyLinkulator Rapid Inclusion Service Tools

Forbairt,

Thanks very much for this information. It is similar to the approach I had planned to take.

2 questions, the client is keeping all the old emails on the linux server, how can I copy them?

And, when I change the nameservers of the URL to point at the new windows server, will there be a period of downtime. I know it can take up to 24 hours for this change to take force regarding the website and I am concerned that the same situation will occur with the email. Or will emails instantaneously following the change be redirected to the new windows server?

The delay during the switch over will depend on the TTL of the DNS, so if you can lower it to 5 minutes it will save you a lot of headaches

__________________
Hosting & Domains|Plesk Vps Hosting|Blog Tips|Films.ie|Gadgets|Monetisation Tips|Movie Chat


Energise your forum! Click here for info

Thanks blacknight. Speaking as a novice, how do I / can I, lower the TTL of the DNS to 5 minutes?

More than likely the simplest solution is to ask your current registrar to change it for a bit ...

Its probably currently set to something like 86400

I am currently in the process of transferring a client.

I have set up the new web space. I have recreated the email addresses on this web space and uploaded the website.

So, i believe what i need to do is, change the nameservers of the domain name. It is purchased directly from iedr.

So what do I need to do, to make the domain name pick up the new web host quickly and prevent loss of email? Slightly confused who I ask to change the TTL (what does this stand for?) etc.

Check that the new host has the dns records correctly configured:

Zone Check

This will save you a lot of hassle

__________________
Hosting & Domains|Plesk Vps Hosting|Blog Tips|Films.ie|Gadgets|Monetisation Tips|Movie Chat


Energise your forum! Click here for info

I've only dealt directly with the IEDR the once .. they are pricey to deal with directly (in terms of .ie domain registration its what 80 quid ? ) compared to blacknight or hosting 365 at ... 21 and 22 respectively

TTL stands for time to live (I'm not an expert but its basically tells the world how often it should try to refresh the information it holds on your domain name ( Thats my understanding .. I should probably have read up more on it ) There will still be a trickle effect in place though as everything updates. Hopefully it should take no more than 24 hours ... most crowds say 24 - 48 hours (but I've recently had a bit of a nightmare moving from one crowd)

Thanks for the information.

How can I reduce the wait period of 24 - 48 hrs? Also what happens emails sent to the customer during this period?