OK, so I've got a new environment up and running and seemingly I have all of the little annoying issues figured out.

So, at this point, I'm wondering what the best way to move everyone over would be.

Obviously, there is DNS "lag" as it's propagated out to cached DNS servers. So, I'm going to run the server from an IP only basis for a day or two. Then I'll change the ubb config to reflect the hostname rather than DNS. This is working fine right now for the new environment.

I figure, there are two options:

• Put an apache redirect on the old server in the httpd.conf. This seems the most convenient for users.
• Simply shut down the "old" server from a ubb perspective and leave a link there to the IP of the new server.


Which would you do?

Well I just moved hosts last year. I think today the DNS lag is not as bad. Probably within hours at most for the majority.
But anyway I think I did the same as you are thinking.
Using a dedicated IP at the new site.
I just added a redirect to the New ip at the old site. Closed the board at the old site with a message that stated the move with a temporary IP address URL.

But I recall I had also submitted the new location in my domain registration before I started the move.

I never tried it but it was suggested:
If your new host allows remote access to the MYSQL database. Copy your DB to the new site. Just change the DB paths and login at the old site to the new location. Then if the user is at the old site it will be inserted to the DB at the new site .

Rapid DNS through NetSol makes most "dns lag" nonsense now adays... any .com/net domain should propogate within hours vs weeks like old...

I also changed my host recently. My forum members were informed in advance of the change and when it was going to happen. I had my entire web site and forums ready to go on the new server by the big day. Since it is advisable to close your forum when performing a database backup I simply closed my forum on the old server for good when I began the process.

I FIRST changed my DNS settings.

Then I backed up my database and made a copy on a disk.

Then I set up my database on the new server and set up my forums using the same version of UBB Threads. After I verified that everything was working then I upgraded my version to the latest one at the time. This all took only a couple of hours and after another check on how everything was working I opened my new forums. (went very well with advice from the gents here I might add)

Once the DNS settings propagated users began showing up. I think I was able to access my new site and forums within hours and by the next day many of the regulars started showing up in the Who's On-line list.

To me, simply closing the forums was the least complicated option and since my members knew what was happening there wasn't one single complaint. When they started logging in they knew the move was completed and I knew that the DNS settings were pointing in the right direction.

I was and still am using Network solutions for my domain registrar... this post just reminded that they charge WAYYYYYY too much and I need to find a new registrar for my domains.

Well, I'd advise against changing your DNS first unless you know how to access your data without using your domain name...

Me, I'd close forums and leave a message, backup data, change DNS settings, upload and open up shop on the new location, then wait for people to trickle in...

And BTW, you don't have to have NetSol as your registrar to take advantage of RapidDNS, they're in charge of the overall RapidDNS system for the .com/net tld's; which is the only good thing they do

If I recall FordDoctor you migrated to Lunarpages like I did.
So they charge like $19.95 per year using opensrs.
Maybe not the cheapest registrar around but it is integrated into the control panel for easy updates.

Wow, I only charge $16/yr for using eNom, with full dyndns support...

Yeah, we both landed on the moon and as I recall we were both trying a few different hosts before buying. I don't need OpenSRS. I can tell you that Network Solutions has been charging me $34.99/year for domain registrations. ***shame on me*** Lunar Pages will do the same for $9.95/year AND a one time transfer fee of $9.95 so as my domains are ready to expire I'll pull them over. I was given this price from the help desk - I see purchasing a new domain is $19.95 so I am a little confused at the moment... maybe new domains are $19.95 and renewals are $9.95? I haven't found any documentation clarifying this yet

All I can say is what I was told.
$9.95 per year for domain name registration.
Plus $9.95 for the actual transfer for the registrar.
Plus you have the option of 1 year free registration,Which I used.
When I moved the registration I was charged $9.95 only.
But the renewal says 19.95 so ???
Just make sure you start early on the transfer. If there is a issue releasing your domain name from the old registrar it may take several days to a week or so.
Looking at domaintools I see your name status as
Registrar Status: clientTransferProhibited
So you or network solutions will need to update that to a OK status to allow the transfer.

transferring out of netsol can be a pain; i wonder if they changed that in later years (I used to use them too lol)