Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : What Happens To Email in Domain Transfer

[happyhound]

I have been asked to rebuild a website for a client and we have decided to move hosting to my server. They currently have the website hosted with one company (cool-pink) and their domain names and emails are hosted elsewhere (123).

If I was to change the nameservers (at 123) to point from their current host (cool-pink) to my server what will happen to the emails? Aside from the nameservers do any other settings need to be changed either with the domain registrant (123), at my server, or on the clients email software?

Thanks,
Dan

[Outlaw Web Master]

If you have set up the new email accounts correctly on your server before you move the name servers away from their current reg then you shouldn't lost any mail.

owm

[happyhound]

Thanks for the reply.

So say for example they currently have info@domain.com and faqs@domain.com I need to create both of these on my server, then change the nameservers at the domain registrant and it should all be ok?

[azuretek]

Yes just create the mailboxes at the new location and the new ones will start receiving mail. If they're happy with how their current mail system works you can usually just create MX records that point to their current location.

[happyhound]

Ok, now you've confused me! What are MX records?

Dan

[diligent]

MX Records decide where e-mails are forwarded to, whether locally or to a remote server, they are part of your DNS zone files for your domain.

If something gets messed up for a little, mail servers are designed to hold mail and attempt re-delivery at a later time if it can't deliver (I wouldn't rely on it though ).

[happyhound]

Thanks for help. I will have a play and see what happens!

Dan

[nameslave]

Originally Posted by happyhound

I have been asked to rebuild a website for a client and we have decided to move hosting to my server.

Originally Posted by happyhound

Ok, now you've confused me! What are MX records?

How on earth are you going to charge a client for moving to your server when you don't even know what are MX records? Sorry to say, but this is very unfair to your paying client.

[happyhound]

Who said my client was paying? I have simply designed a website for a friend and they don't like their host so want to swap and I have offered them space on my server. I run a pub for a living, web design is just a hobby - which I only started a year ago. I'm sorry if my lack of knowledge offended you, I just wanted some help that's all.

Why do you always get people like this pillock on forums. You give a bad name to those that actually want to help people.

[nameslave]

Originally Posted by happyhound

Who said my client was paying? I have simply designed a website for a friend and they don't like their host so want to swap and I have offered them space on my server. I run a pub for a living, web design is just a hobby - which I only started a year ago. I'm sorry if my lack of knowledge offended you, I just wanted some help that's all.

Why do you always get people like this pillock on forums. You give a bad name to those that actually want to help people.

Don't get me wrong. A lack of knowledge does NOT offend me, but if you agree to take up a job, you should keep the interests of your client (even for a "non-paying client" if there is such a thing at all) a top priority. Since you CLEARLY do not know enough to help out, you should refer him to someone who knows.

[coax]

I tend to agree with nameslave here.
If you want the transfer to go perfectly, you really should ask someone who you can give hands-on access to so he can check that everything is correct.

[Lubeca]

From what the OP is saying it looks like...:

- the DNS is hosted at 123
- the MX records are with 123
- the web site is hosted elsewhere (cool pink)

It appears to be the intention to continue to use the name servers at 123.

That being the case there is no need to change the MX record. The customer could just continue to receive their mail via 123 while moving the web site from cool pink to its new home.