Moving Host by Custom DNS – How Does That Work?

Technical Questions Forum
1

Hey folks, I’m a bit of a tech nerd and have always managed my own servers. I recently decided to move my website from one hosting provider to another. I’ve heard a lot about using custom DNS settings to make the transition smoother, but I’m a bit lost. I’ve used standard DNS before, but this is my first time with custom DNS. How does this whole process work, and what should I be aware of to avoid downtime? Any tips or experiences you can share would be awesome,

2

Using custom DNS can definitely help streamline the transition. Basically, you’ll need to update your DNS records at your current DNS provider to point to your new host. Make sure you keep your old host’s DNS records live until the new ones have fully propagated. This usually takes about 24-48 hours. It’s like a relay race – your old host passes the baton to the new one.

3

Oh man, I tried this once and had a bit of a headache. My site went down for a bit because I didn’t account for the DNS propagation time properly. My advice? Double-check that your TTL settings are lowered before you make the switch so it updates faster.

4

I haven’t done this with custom DNS, but I did a straightforward host move and it was relatively painless. I’d suggest contacting support for both your old and new hosts.

5

I’ve had mixed results with this. On one hand, it’s a great way to keep control over your DNS settings, but it can be tricky. One thing that helped me was using a DNS checker tool to ensure everything was pointing correctly before making the switch.

6

I had a pretty smooth transition with custom DNS, but I did run into a hiccup with email settings. Make sure to check and update your MX records if you’re using custom DNS. It’s easy to overlook those and they’re crucial for email functionality.

7

I did this with a project once and it was a bit of a rollercoaster. I recommend setting up a staging environment if possible. Make sure everything works in the new host environment before making the DNS switch. It’s easier to troubleshoot in a controlled setting.

8

I’d say plan ahead and maybe use a tool to preview your DNS changes before making them live. If you can, do a small test first to ensure everything is working. It might take a little longer but will save you from bigger issues down the road.