Changing Servers

And Changing Everything Else

[madcat]

Hi-

There is a very large site hosted by someone who runs their own server in-house. I want to grab everything and transfer all of the pre-existing materials which will then be hosted on a service providers Web server.

I know the DNSs will have to be changed. But what else will have to happen in order to complete the process? How are databases transferred? What is the best process for transferring all of the other files that need to be in my control. I know this is a bit vague : Any articles on switching servers that you may know about will be great!

Thanks for any insight -

Best,
M

[IanTurner]

It depends on the function of the database.

If it is a Content Management database where the content can be frozen on a certain date the problem is significantly easier than if it is a database which is updated by web users, such as a fourm or online ordering system.

There are a number of other factors that could affect the move.

For a basic database site I would use the following procedure.

Before doing any changes to DNS.

1. Set up the site on the new server
2. Create a blank copy of the database on the new server.
3. Copy the data across to the new server.
4. Test out the new site using a private DNS server.
5. When you are happy that the site is working correctly copy the latest data to the new server and change the DNS entries.

[madcat]

Thanks- We're dealing with MS SQL and ColdFusion : Databases consist of information being updated by users; things like uploaded pictures and table information.

[IanTurner]

With user updated data you may need to disable data entry on the old server during the DNS change so that no data is lost.