We are currently running our DNS servers from one server on one network. However it is absolutely necessary that we move both of our DNS Nameservers to a different network ASAP. How do we go about accomplishing this so that our users do not have to manually change their nameserver records and that we do not have any downtime for any of our customers???

If anyone can give us some pointers or would be interested in doing this job for us (We will pay $$$ for anyone who does this job for us) , please let us know.

Thanks alot in advance.

1. Get new servers.
2. Copy all the DNS data across.
3. Edit the DNS data everywhere to use the new IP addresses of the nameservers.
4. Change the nameserver entries in the root gtld nameservers to include your new IP addresses.

As long as your old servers stay up for the 2-3 days it takes for the root nameservers to be updated and new data propagated, you should have no downtime.

Thanks..

So far we have the new servers ready on the new network.
We have already assigned the new hostnames their new IP Addresses for the new server.

You said..


Edit the DNS data everywhere to use the new IP addresses of the nameservers.

Do we edit this data on the old server or the new server??

Originally posted by frontserve
Edit the DNS data everywhere to use the new IP addresses of the nameservers.

Do we edit this data on the old server or the new server??

Both. You want the old DNS servers to point people at the new DNS servers -- that way they will remember the new DNS server addresses and ask the new servers next time. And of course the new servers should claim ownership of the domains.

Thanks for all of your help; I am starting to understand it now.

Now I have just one last question...

What about Network Solutions and Register.com; they have about 50% of our customers records and on the WHOIS they show the current IP Addresses. Will these IP numbers changed automatically when the hostnames are assigned new Ips?

Customers will not have to give them our new IPs right?

Originally posted by frontserve
Customers will not have to give them our new IPs right?

That is correct (unless things have changed, but I don't think they have). The root nameservers have separate entries saying "domain xyz.com has nameservers ns1.abc.net and ns2.abc.net" and saying "ns1.abc.net is at 1.2.3.4". Your changing the IP address of the nameserver doesn't effect the entry for their domain, because the *name* of the nameserver hasn't changed.

You have been a tremendous help to us, thanks.

Originally posted by frontserve
You have been a tremendous help to us, thanks.

There's one thing I think he forgot, though. The root nameservers most probably have glue records for your nameservers (if your nameserver is named .com, .net or .org). This means that the IP known to the world is not automatically changed, if you change the A record on your own DNS server.

You must use your registrars tools to let the world know, that the IP address of your nameserver has been changed. How to do this varies from registrar to registrar (most have a webbased interface where you can change this).

HI!
I have a small doubt.
If the name servers IP s are changed I do not think this change has to be made for all the clients domain registrars..
i.e. say you have abc.com pointing to your nameservers ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com
You do not have to make any changes to abc.com records with the registrars.
Please let me know if I am wrong/right..
Have a great day :)

regards
amar

Originally posted by bobcares
HI!
I have a small doubt.
If the name servers IP s are changed I do not think this change has to be made for all the clients domain registrars..
i.e. say you have abc.com pointing to your nameservers ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com
You do not have to make any changes to abc.com records with the registrars.
Please let me know if I am wrong/right..


Correct, you do not have to change every domain you have.

If your nameservers are named ns1.abccompany.com then you do have to use the interface for the registrar you've registred abccompany.com with - and change the glue records for ns1.

Beware!

Registrars like NETSOL don't seem to use dynamic updates for nameservers listed.

ns.blah.com 123.123.123.123
ns2.blah.com 123.123.123.123

even if you modified

321.321.321.321
321.321.321.321

it will still be

123.123.123.123 for netsol users and it takes awhile for them to update.

That's what I was wondering; I will have to call Network Solutions and get them to change the Ips of our nameservers on that day and not wait for them to update them on their own.

Thanks for your help.