Moving 2 domains to subsites on new host - how?

[Dan E]

I maintain 2 sites with their own URLs/domain names with FP 2003. I need to
move these to subsites on a new host. The domain names are with a third
party registrar. I've already published to the new subsites, and the sites
work, including FP Extensions. I'm told all I need to do to have the domain
names (URLs) point to the new subsites is to change the DNS servers for the
domains to my new host's DNS servers. However, I don't see how that can
work entirely, because the new nameservers don't know the new subsites as
the desired domain names, only as e.g. ./sites/subsite1 and
../sites/subsite2. And I don't want to screw up access to my sites,
obviously. I can transfer the domain names to the new host, then point them
using their domain name control panel to the subsites and at the same time
switch to their DNS servers, but it seems to me there should be a way to
effect this change without doing that.

Any help, explanation or suggestions welcome and acknowledged.

Dan

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Have you contacted you new web host to ask them for their advice?

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
==============================================
If you feel your current issue is a results of installing
a Service Pack or security update, please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services:
http://support.microsoft.com
If the problem can be shown to have been caused by a
security update, then there is usually no charge for the call.
==============================================

 

[Dan E]

Yes, Thomas. They told me to contact my old host, which I did, and received
this advice:-

I would recommend one of two things at this phase, either calling your new
host back and talking to whomever can provide you with a solution, I.e. a
"supervisor" if necessary, as it sounds like the person you spoke with
didn't know what they were talking about, or option two to get a different
host.
Most hosting services, we do the same, do not associate a unique IP to
sites, but rely on what are called "host headers" and DNS to point to the
proper place.
If you point to their DNS server and they have the records in place, there
is no reason it should not work if they have everything setup correctly.
Most external hosting services I hear about, usually have this kinda stuff
worked out, so I would give them a call and go up the chain if your
questions are not answered.

Good advice, but I haven't yet tried the new host again - been busy with
other stuff - it's 1&1.com.

Dan

Have you contacted you new web host to ask them for their advice?

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
==============================================
If you feel your current issue is a results of installing
a Service Pack or security update, please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services:
http://support.microsoft.com
If the problem can be shown to have been caused by a
security update, then there is usually no charge for the call.
==============================================

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Dan,

Personally, I would only use a web host that provides static IP address accounts. Now some host that
do provide static IPs will allow you to have a small number of domains under a single static IP
address.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
==============================================
If you feel your current issue is a results of installing
a Service Pack or security update, please contact
Microsoft Product Support Services:
http://support.microsoft.com
If the problem can be shown to have been caused by a
security update, then there is usually no charge for the call.
==============================================

Yes, Thomas. They told me to contact my old host, which I did, and received this advice:-

I would recommend one of two things at this phase, either calling your new host back and talking
to whomever can provide you with a solution, I.e. a "supervisor" if necessary, as it sounds like
the person you spoke with didn't know what they were talking about, or option two to get a
different host.
Most hosting services, we do the same, do not associate a unique IP to sites, but rely on what are
called "host headers" and DNS to point to the proper place.
If you point to their DNS server and they have the records in place, there is no reason it should
not work if they have everything setup correctly. Most external hosting services I hear about,
usually have this kinda stuff worked out, so I would give them a call and go up the chain if your
questions are not answered.

Good advice, but I haven't yet tried the new host again - been busy with other stuff - it's
1&1.com.

Dan

 

[Dan E]

Thanks, Thomas. Yes - it's a thought. I'll give these guys a go, though.
I was lucky and got a tech support person at the second attempt who knew the
answer to my problem straight away - from my Domain Control Panel at the new
host, I add a new domain name - the same name as one of the two I need to
move, and it can be a name already registered with an external registrar.
In 1&1 parlance, they call it an External Domain. Then I just point that
domain name to the desired subsite, go to the external registrar's Control
Panel, and change the DNS settings to the new host's DNS servers. Leave the
mail server as is until the change has propagated, and meanwhile set up
identical email accounts in the new site, then after the new DNS settings
are propagated switch the mail server over also. Advice is to leave the old
web site intact for a month - some DNS servers have a very long expiry time.

I'd be interested to hear of your experiences with static IP hosts -
preferably ones who don't have a huge number of accounts on each server -
that's what I'm told can be a real problem with shared hosting - a site that
draws huge traffic or with some bad code that slows down the responses for
all sites on that server.

Dan