Re: [cobalt-users] IP based web addresses

["The Thieving Gypsy" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I think this was asked recently but cannot find it - so apologies is I
> missed it.
>
> I am in the process of transferring an (Actinic based) site to my RaQ4
> server. I would like to test it out before the DNS records are changed
> to reflect the new IP.
>
> Is there anyway I can access and test the site at its new location
> before the DNS records are changed by using the IP of the RAQ (e.g.
> 211.77.99.11/the_site_I_want).
>
> (the site is not the one used in the server name)
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> TIA

Are you transferring the site from a different server?  If so, probably the
easiest thing to do would be as follows:

1/. In the current zone file for the domain, create an A Record for
something like "testsite.[mydomain.com]", pointing to the new IP address.
2/. Create your site on the RaQ4, with the main host name as
www.[mydomain.com] , but specify that the site is also to serve pages up for
newsite.[mydomain].com  - you will then be able to test the site directly on
the URL http://newsite.[mydomain.com].

One important thing when you're transferring Actinic sites, though, is that
you should never have two duplicate catalogues running concurrently - it
will leave your order processing in an absolute shambles :-)  This means
that you can't leave the transfer from the old site to the new one down to
DNS - you're bound to get orders going to different locations during the
propagation period. To get around this, when you're ready to do live,
*before you change the DNS* you should put up a redirect, either an
.htaccess file or a metarefresh, taking people across to
http://newsite.[mydomain.com] (if you're also creating a new zone file, make
sure that you also put newsite.[mydomain.com] into this - to make sure that
no-one gets lost :-)

Cheers,
              Dave Rowlands

Verio UK
Advanced Web Hosting