Switching IP''s for my DNS hosts

Re: Switching IP''s for my DNS hosts

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>I'm sure this is something others have gone through, so I am hoping to get
>some advice.
>
>I need to switch the IP numbers associated with my hosts. ( I am getting a
>new service for from my ISP and need to give up my existing 3 IP's for new
>set of 8 ip's, I am hoping they allow me to keep them all until I complete
>the transferfor my DNS hosts)

[snip]

>Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated.

You've come up with a bunch of good questions, but you seem a little fuzzy
on some of the details. I've gone through this before.

Step 1) Get both sets of addresses routed to your physical network.

Step 2) Set up services on both sets of addresses. If you're using MacOS
8.1 or later, or if you're using HomeDoor, you may (depending on your web
server software) be able to set up web services on both sets of addresses
on the same machine. However, email, DNS, and other services will still
need to be duplicated on additional machines.

At this point, you have all your normal services available on the new IPs,
ready for the DNS switch, but you haven't actually made the switch.

Step 3) Switch the DNS. You'll still be running DNS servers on both sets of
addresses, but now the zone files will reflect the new addresses.

Step 4) Tell Internic.

Step 5) Wait. You should wait *at least* 2 days *after* Internic makes the
changes. This is to allow time for the change to percolate throughout the
net. Remember that Internic doesn't always make changes immediately -
sometimes they can lose your request, and end up taking several weeks.
Lately, they've been doing a lot of stuff, so their service has been spotty.

Step 6) Dismantle the services on the old addresses.

Step 7) Tell your ISP he can take back the old addresses.

For step 2, you'll need at least one (and probably two) extra machine(s).
If you don't have them, your ISP may be able to help you by lending you
space on his machines, or he may be able to redirect ports - ask him what
he suggests. If you end up using your own machines, but don't have the
extra software, there is a sufficient amount of free server software that,
while not as feature-complete nor possibly as stable, will probably get you
through a few days of transition.

Anyway, if you have any more questions about this, just ask. I hope the
above makes things clearer for you.
________________________________
Chris Buxton
Internet and Database Consultant

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