Hmmm....moving to a new host?

[andyrose]

:(

I've decided that I'm going to have to move my site to a host that provides more bandwidth. When I first started www.neomega.net a few months ago, I thought it was just going to be a hobby site. Now I have plans of making it into a large community based tech/game news site, with many types of downloadable content.

The bandwidth last month alone was 20GB(5 over my limit with the gold package), and it would have been far more had I not disabled some files after receiving a bandwidth overage notice.

My question is simple: Can I move all of my databases and information to another host without losing data and visitors? I have a bustling forum, and I want to make sure that they don't have to go through an extended downtime(or lose all of their posts).

I'm thinking right now about which steps to take first. I'll have to keep both my FQ site going as well as whichever new host I choose at the same time for now.

Anyone have experience with this sad subject? :(

[andyrose]

Grrrrr.

After doing a bit of research into getting a new host, it looks like I may stick with Futurequest after all.

FQ is the highest rated, the prices are better than most other sites, and I already know the service is top notch.

It looks like I'll have to outsource any big file downloads......and I'll have to be extra careful about how much bandwidth I'll be using with my new site.

[Jeff]

I think you made a good decision if you can afford it. FutureQuest provides great hosting.

If you did want to move to a dedicated server for example, keep in mind that it is not something that can be done in 5 minutes if you have a dynamic site. Basically you would begin by setting up a mirror with either an alternate domain or an IP if the new site will be on a dedicated IP. You would then transfer all the scripts and html/image files over and change all the pahts in the scripts to correspond to the new server. Then if you have anything advanced you would have to make sure all the modules you need are installed on the other server, and if not install them. Then you would pick a time in the AM, dump your SQL databases and transfer them and other data files to the other servers, during which time your site would be down so the data files were "fixed" and not in a state of flux. Then you once on the other server you would move the data files into the new databases you created, and your site would be live again. Meanwhile on the old server you would put in .htaccess redirects to the new domain/IP. Then you would put in to transfer the main domain. Then once it was trasferred you would once again modify all your scripts/links/etc to call the main domain rather than the mirror/IP which they were changed to use during the transition. So it can be done, but it would take some planning and some time to pull it off well. If you have lots of time, lots of bandwidth, and not enough $ it's an option, but it might be more fun to put the same time into optimizing, raising income, etc. so you can keep your site safe and sound and running along nicely at FutureQuest.

[Monty]

andyrose, contact the service desk about your bandwidth needs. They may be able to offer you a very competitive solution and enable you to remain with the best host there is.

Mont

[andyrose]

In the future, I'll have to lease a fast line and set up a dedicated server myself. That won't be for awhile, though.

Monty: thanks for the advice, I'll look into it.

[Jeff]

Even if you get your own T1 line at your home/office you won't have the redundancy which a datacenter offers (multiple providers, backup power/generator, etc.). I also love the idea of having my web site on servers which are right at my fingertips, but it's not realistic when you look at the value which a dedicated or colocated server in a true datacenter offers.

[andyrose]

Yeah, I'll be keeping the main site on Futurequest.

But I'll be putting large download files on the server. :)