when i change the dns

i transferred my messageboard and site and everything to the new server we have and got it all ready. now i just need to point the domain to that site but i will be using a different place for the dns aspect of it (since i was using the server i was using before for that). i know how to go in and change the dns info at my domain names host, but my question is when i do that is it going to automatically take the domain from pointing to my current server and be down for a few days before the dns refreshes or will it stay looking at my old server until it points to the new one? the thing is i dont want to have a few down days for my site, but if it will happen i need to make sure i plan it on a slower part of the week.

[Staxed]

it will basically make two sites for...

the old site will work until the DNS points to the new server, and then that site will work...

the issue with this is that DNS doesn't update all at once...it updates at different times in different areas...so if you don't turn-off your forum on the old server...it's almost a guarantee that you will have missing posts, missing registered members, etc on the new server once the DNS propagates completely

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Place a holding page on the old server, with a redirect link to the new server using the IP address of the new server.

[FockerFGAA]

Originally Posted by Marco van Herwaarden

Place a holding page on the old server, with a redirect link to the new server using the IP address of the new server.

a holding page?

im not sure i follow.

keep in mind that the dns i am using is from the old server im getting off of. ill need to be switching which dns i use for the new server (also if anyone has a good suggestion im open to it. i used to use zoneedit).