Changing DNS -- how do I know when the change has happened?

[Joe S.]

I recently changed the host for one of my websites because I was having
problems with the host servers. I use MS FP2003.

My domain is registered with one company, the new host is another company.

When I signed up with the new host, they sent me instructions to change the
DNS information with the domain registrar. I went to my domain management
site, logged into my account, selected "Use Custom Nameservers,: and changed
the Customer Nameservers DNS info to the new DNS provided by the new hosting
company.

I did this about 30 minutes ago. Now -- as I understand things, it will
take 24-48 hours for the new DNS info to propagate.

How will I know when the new DNS has propagated?

I assume I will need to publish the site to the new host -- and -- I assume
that, after the new DNS has propagated, when I try to publish the site with
FrontPage, the new host will not recognize my user ID and password that were
used on the old host and I'll have to enter the user ID and password that
the new host provided me. And -- the entire site will publish to the new
host -- which will take an hour or so.

Is this the way it will work??

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

If you new web host has assigned you a static IP address, then you can publish to that
(http://123.123.123.123) via FP http mode. If the site has a static address, then you can publish
now, then make a small change on the home page, then you can just keep checking the site in your
browser until you see the small change, then you know the DNS Servers has been updated, at least the
one used by your ISP.

If the new web host doesn't provide static IP addresses, then you will have to wait.

In either case you will need to have the FP extensions (if used) and you will need to login info you
provided the new host when you signed up, etc.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================

 

[Joe S.]

If you new web host has assigned you a static IP address, then you can
publish to that (http://123.123.123.123) via FP http mode. If the site has
a static address, then you can publish now, then make a small change on
the home page, then you can just keep checking the site in your browser
until you see the small change, then you know the DNS Servers has been
updated, at least the one used by your ISP.

If the new web host doesn't provide static IP addresses, then you will
have to wait.

In either case you will need to have the FP extensions (if used) and you
will need to login info you provided the new host when you signed up, etc.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

http://www.Ecom-Data.com
==============================================

Thanks.

The new host provided me with a static IP address to use for FTP -- but --
once upon a time a couple of years ago I FTP'ed my site from FP and screwed
it up beyond belief. If I FTP now to the static IP, then, when the DNS has
propagated, can I PUBLISH with no problem -- and -- will the FTP'ed site use
the FP themes, etc??

I have already accessed the control panel for the new host and installed FP
extensions.

And -- it appears that the DNS change is taking effect.

I entered the new DNS info a couple of hours ago. Now, this is what
happens:

-- If I try to go to my site using www.mysite.org/index.htm, I get a 404 NOT
FOUND error.
-- If I try to go to my site using www.mysite.org, I get a directory tree.

So -- the question is -- if I FTP, will it screw up things when I try to
PUBLISH later?

Thanks.

 

[David Berry]

If you are using the FrontPage Server Extensions do NOT FTP a whole site or
you will corrupt them. You can FTP files as long as you don't FTP any of
the _vti folders. For FrontPage features to work you need to publish the
site from FrontPage. I recommend waiting until you can do that.

 

[Joe S.]

If you are using the FrontPage Server Extensions do NOT FTP a whole site
or you will corrupt them. You can FTP files as long as you don't FTP any
of the _vti folders. For FrontPage features to work you need to publish
the site from FrontPage. I recommend waiting until you can do that.

Thanks -- I'll wait.

 

[Joe S.]

I recently changed the host for one of my websites because I was having
problems with the host servers. I use MS FP2003.

My domain is registered with one company, the new host is another company.

When I signed up with the new host, they sent me instructions to change
the
DNS information with the domain registrar. I went to my domain management
site, logged into my account, selected "Use Custom Nameservers,: and
changed
the Customer Nameservers DNS info to the new DNS provided by the new
hosting
company.

I did this about 30 minutes ago. Now -- as I understand things, it will
take 24-48 hours for the new DNS info to propagate.

How will I know when the new DNS has propagated?

I assume I will need to publish the site to the new host -- and -- I
assume
that, after the new DNS has propagated, when I try to publish the site
with
FrontPage, the new host will not recognize my user ID and password that
were
used on the old host and I'll have to enter the user ID and password that
the new host provided me. And -- the entire site will publish to the new
host -- which will take an hour or so.

Is this the way it will work??

Thanks to those who offered advice.

I waited a few hours, the new DNS propagated, and I PUBLISHED the site to
the new host -- everything works great.

 

[Steve Easton]

Ping your website.
When the IP that is returned changes, the DNS update has taken effect.

To ping your website, open a command window and type:

ping www.yourwebsitename.com or .net as appropriate.

The IP address will be returned.

--

Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
FP Cleaner
http://www.95isalive.com/fixes/fpclean.htm
Hit Me FP
http://www.95isalive.com/fixes/HitMeFP.htm