Knowledgebase

Here is a simple check list to get you started.

1. Any permanent records you need from your old host should be screen captured or printed, such as past billing invoices you may need.
   
   
2. Archive any emails you need to save permanently, but are moving to Psyphire.  This is important because normally emails cannot be migrated.  You can simply make a POP3 connection to a mail account; doing so downloads the emails to your local machine.
   
   
3. Download copies of all your current website files and databases.  This can come in handy later when you cancel the other host and then discover you are missing something.

Once you have completed the above list, do the following to move your site without suffering any downtime:

1. Sign up for your new account at Psyphire.  Make sure you do NOT cancel your old hosting provider, and do not tell them you will be canceling or they might prematurely terminate your site and cause downtime.
   
   
2. Now you have accounts with two hosting providers (the old and the new one with Psyphire).  You will now migrate your entire site from the old host to the new one.
   
   
3. Connecting to the old host’s FTP and downloading all your files, and then by connecting to the new host’s FTP and uploading all your files (maintain the same file and folder structure).  You must also backup any databases on the old host (contact the old host for instructions) and upload the backup files to the new host via FTP.  You must then restore your databases from those backup files; this can be done via SSH or cPanel’s phpMyAdmin.  Emails do not normally transfer, but you can archive your emails from the old host.  You can accomplish this by making a POP3 connection to each email address; this way all the old emails are downloaded to your local computer. The new host will not have those old emails, but the new host will be able to get new emails.
   
   
4. Have Psyphire transfer your entire site over free of charge if your old host uses cPanel (contact us).  We may be able to transfer emails as well.
   
   
5. After you have all your files on both hosting accounts, it is time to change your domain name’s DNS at your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain).  Psyphire’s nameservers are as follows:

   ns1.psyphire.com
   ns2.psyphire.com

   If you purchased your domain name from your old host, you usually need to ask them to make the changes for you.  Tell them something similar to, “My domain with you is mydomain.com; please change my nameservers to ns1.psyphire.com and ns2.psyphire.com.”

   If you bought your domain name from Psyphire, we are happy to help you or make the DNS changes for you.

6. Once your DNS changes have been made, you will need to wait up to 48 hours (two days) before your site will load from the new host (but you may see changes within 15 minutes).   During this 48 hour period, your DNS is propagating world wide and your site will be randomly loading from either the old host or the new host. Once the two days is complete, your site will only be loading from the new host.  After the 48 hours have passed, your updated DNS will be fully functional.
   
   
7. Contact your old host and cancel your hosting account with them.  If you originally bought your domain name from the old host, do not cancel your domain registration.