moving to a different server

[externalaw.com]

Hi,

Just to double check

I bought a site that is hosted on shared hosting, I have access.
I own a dedicated server, and want to move this site to my server.

I do not want any downtime, or loose posts or members during the time it takes to propagate to the new servers.

I think I want to do the following. but need some help

1) backup the site as is and do a move to the new server
2) point the current site to the new database, and the new site of course also to the new database. Both old and new server therefor use the same database
3) change the DNS server names to the new server
4) after 48 hours simply delete the old server and shut the account down.

Is this the best way,

If it is.... how do I let the old server use the new servers database, as usually we set it up as LOCALHOST but I never used an alternative server before.

Thanks for the help!
(Lynn, thank you for all the other help as well, sorry I didnt post proper thanks each time!)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

See themanual: Moving Servers (http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/moving_servers)

[externalaw.com]

Marco, bedankt maaruhhh..

What I like to know is if the above works with ZERO downtime.
The manual is all fine but doesnt cover the period during propagating to the new server,

M

[Seven Skins]

On old server put forum offline and in the offline message give your users the IP address of new server. Then your users can login using IP address while new IP address propagate.

.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

It i impossible to have 0-downtime as you will need to move the database. You will at least have to turn of any new postings, registrations etc once you start to make your backup.

Once you closed down old board (might keep open for reading):
- Backup, move & restore database
- Transfer any dynamic files (regular files can already have been moved, only need changed/new files now).
- Test & open new board
- Use a redirect page on old server to forward all visitors for which the DNS has not yet been updated to the IP URL of the new server.

PS Ofcourse you have prepaired and tested this process already before trying to do it for real. ;)

[externalaw.com]

Marco..

Bedankt! Of course we test this... first..
Or after...

[lbpforum.net]

Thanks for great information, very helpful.