Re: [cobalt-users] help with server migration planning

["Rick Ewart" <cobalt@xxxxxxxxx>]

> I've got the unenviable task of migrating some RaQ4 boxes from one
facility
> to another this weekend. Each of these is running it's own DNS, and
hosting
> multiple sites.
>
> My plan is listed below... there are a few missing elements, I'd
appreciate
> any input to help fill in the blanks.  :)

Well Brandon, the one thing that I don't see is the real PITA, I think...
changing the IP of the nameserver.

What you talk about while time consuming, is "realtively" easy as its all in
your control. So long as your TTLs are short, and you don't miss
anything/much, it should go pretty well. Obviously the difficulty grows with
the # of sites involved, but you can fix your screwups with only a little
extra downtime.

The nameserver(s) though, must be moved out on the Net, at the registries.
When I last moved my RaQ, I had a HECK of a time getting NetSol to reflect
the changes I made on the name server. My fear was the secondaries giving up
before the change was made.

FYI, the term to use at NetSol (as most of the people I spoke with hadn't a
clue what what I needed) is to ask them to "mirror the registry". You can do
anything you want, but until they do that, your nameserver change will not
be reflected in Net Sol controlled sites...

Another tip that worked well for me - you could move 1 box, replicate the
DNS entries on it at the new location, and setup all the name servers as
different IP based sites. Then you could redirect the registry to that box
for primary DNS. That will give you a stable place to do DNS changes while
moving the boxes around. Might simplify the confusion of what is where....

Rick