I'm moving my site to a new webhost that uses shared virtual ip how can i install my scripts if i don't know my ip? If i wait for the DNS to go though i could then but that would mean down time.
Sure i can upload my files and scripts now but i wouldn't be able to login to the script until the DNS changed.

The last time i switched host the new host gave me an ip so i could setup my scripts.

Greetings:

You can use the "hosts" file on your local PC to point the domain name to the shared IP.

That way you can test the site from your PC prior to the DNS change over.

Thank you.

ask your new host for their shared ip. you can usually view your new site via

http://<sharedip>/~<username>/

you'll also want to create all the email accounts/forwards on the new server so that you dont lose any mail.

Also if you have something that is database based (sounds funny :emlaugh:) transfer the database to the new server and switch the ip of the connection on the old server to match that of the new server. this should be done just before the next step:

when you're all ready to move, ask your current host to change the IP of the A record and MX records in your zone file to match that of the new host...

...and then you'll want to change your nameservers to your new hosts...

i think that about covers it...minimal downtime if you follow that ;)

others will correct me if im wrong :D

Hello Mike,

Actually, whether the DNS has or hasn't been updated, you can have 2 accounts at the different host (your old one and the new one). And then, if you like to work on your script in the new host, you can change your DNS information to whatever the new server is. For example, if the ip for the new server is 68.22.45.97/68.22.45.98 (assuming you're using windows):
1. Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel
2. Find something similar to TCP/IP Protocol
3. Go to its properties
4. Enable DNS and enter 68.22.45.97 and 68.22.45.98
5. Save

Depending on your system, you may not need to reboot your machine, but you will need to restart your browser.

Once everything is settled, you can restore the original value (recommended).

Hope this helps :)

Best Regards,

hmmm what you guys said is over my head :(

Is there any easy way that even i can do? It was simple when it had a IP

Hello Mike,

You can transfer all your website content to the new host server eventhough you don't have static ip regardless the DNS status. Here's what you can do:
1. Find the ip address of the new server
2. In your FTP program, use that new server ip address as the 'host' instead of your domain name
3. Login with your new username/password and transfer all your files

That's it. Once the dns has been updated, your domain will point to the new server, and there will be no downtime. I would recommend to wait at least one week before you cancel your old account.

Best Regards,

1. Find the ip address of the new server.............do mean the IP that get's shown when i FTP in?

What I mean was the new server ip address. You can obtain this from your new host. Then, use the ip as your FTP host target. Then you should be ok :)

ok... This is just like dynamicnet's suggestion....

1. Locate the file called "hosts" on your pc with the find program in the start menu. When it finds the file, rightclick on it, and open with Notepad. Add to the end of the file, the new ip number and the domain name

eg. (on windows xp, the hosts file is located in c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\ ) add the ip and domain name.

555.555.555.555 yourdomain.com

If you do not have the ip number, ask the new host what the shared ip number will be.

Anyways. If you have done this correctly, you may need to restart your pc. Then when you go to yourdomain.com, you will see what the new site will look like. Fix it up howerver you want....

*Note : the reason for changing the hosts file is so that you may preview your files in the new location.

2. Remove the line you added to the hosts file.

3. Change your nameservers to the new ones.

if you tell me one of the new name servers, and your domain name, I might be able to find out what the new ip number will be.

Mike EE I am no expert at this myself so I know what you mean when you say "over your head". LOL. I just did a host switch about a week and a half ago and was worried about downtime. I didn't have any downtime and this is what I did...

I had already gotten the ip address when my account was activated. So the way I ftp'd my files was by using the ip address given me instead of ftp.yoursite.com.

I just uploaded my entire site to the new host.

Also you should be able to view your site as akash said by going to http://<sharedipaddress.com>/<~username>.

But until your dns changes over and the switch officially completes as Rey said, DO NOT cancel your other hosting account or remove any files from there. That way it will be no downtime and a smooth transition.

I was so worried about having downtime but when I switched hosts the way I just mentioned it was painless and actually easier than I thought. :D

P.S. Technically when you switched hosts your new host should have sent you an email containing info on how to ftp your files, view your site, set up your email and such while you are waiting for the dns changes to go through.

thanks for all the help guys.

they told me to ftp in with there name server just without the ns i have the IP of that will that work?

ya, it should be ok...

Yes, their ip will work.

Oops ... got beaten by Matt :)

I'm not sure if what Akash says to do addresses the problem of keeping forums or databases running during the switch. I think that's really the main problem during a site move because before the dns changes completely propagate some users will still be loading the old site while others will load the new site.

Originally posted by pcjunky
I'm not sure if what Akash says to do addresses the problem of keeping forums or databases running during the switch. I think that's really the main problem during a site move because before the dns changes completely propagate some users will still be loading the old site while others will load the new site.

it all depends on the script...

for example, if it is a vb forum, you can change the "database server" to the ip of the new host and the content will be pulled from that server. if done correctly, new posts will be made to the new servers db during propagation

...a little confusing but it can be done...