What is DNS Migration? Website Hosting or DNS Propagation – The Real Truth
When it comes to website migrations, one term you’ll hear a lot is DNS. For many business owners or non-technical users, it’s easy to get lost in the technical jargon. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what DNS is, how it works in website migrations, and what DNS propagation means in plain English.
What is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. In simple terms, it’s the internet’s equivalent of a phonebook. Instead of remembering a series of numbers (IP addresses) to visit websites, DNS allows us to type easy-to-remember domain names (like www.example.com). Behind the scenes, DNS maps the domain name to the correct server’s IP address, ensuring your browser reaches the right destination.
Think of it as a directory. When you type a domain name in your browser, DNS looks it up, translates it to an IP address, and directs you to the website hosted on that server.
DNS and Website Migrations: What’s the Connection?
When you move your website from one hosting provider to another, a DNS migration is often required. This process involves updating your domain’s DNS records so they point to the new server. The actual data migration (moving files, databases, etc.) happens on the backend, but updating the DNS records ensures that when someone types in your website’s domain, they’re directed to the new server instead of the old one.
It’s important to note that DNS changes aren’t instant. This brings us to DNS propagation, a crucial concept that often causes confusion during website migrations.
What is DNS Propagation?
DNS propagation refers to the period it takes for DNS changes to be updated and reflected across the internet. Whenever a DNS record is updated, the new information has to be passed on to all the DNS servers worldwide. Each Internet Service Provider (ISP) maintains a cache of DNS records, so they don’t have to query the master server for every request. When you change DNS records, these cached records need to be updated, and that takes time.
During propagation, some users may still be directed to the old server, while others see the new one. This period of inconsistency is why DNS propagation is often a source of anxiety for website owners – especially when the migration involves a live website that can’t afford downtime.
Why Does DNS Propagation Take Time?
Propagation times can vary widely. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours for DNS changes to fully propagate across the internet. In rare cases, it may take longer.
Several factors affect DNS propagation time:
- TTL (Time-to-Live) Settings: The TTL is a value in your DNS records that tells other servers how long they should cache your records before checking for updates. Lower TTL values can speed up propagation but may increase the load on your DNS server. If you know a migration is coming, lowering the TTL value in advance can help reduce downtime during DNS propagation.
- ISP Cache: Each ISP caches DNS records, and some ISPs update their records faster than others.
- Geographic Location: DNS changes may propagate faster in some regions than others. For instance, a user in the US may see the updated site faster than someone in Europe or Asia.
What to Expect During DNS Propagation?
During the propagation process, some visitors may see your new website hosted on the new server, while others may still see the old version. This is normal behaviour during DNS migration, but it’s critical to be prepared for this transition.
To manage this effectively:
- Avoid major updates: During the propagation window, avoid making major changes to the site. You’ll want to ensure that both the old and new sites are as similar as possible to prevent confusion for users accessing the old server.
- Monitor traffic: Keep an eye on your traffic analytics to track any significant drops or changes. While DNS is propagating, there might be a slight dip in visits, but things should stabilize once the process is completed.
DNS Migration vs. Website Hosting: What’s the Difference?
It’s important to clarify the difference between DNS migration and website hosting. The DNS system only tells browsers where your website is located; it doesn’t store your website files or data. Website hosting refers to the physical server where your website’s files and databases live. During a migration, your website files are moved from one server (old hosting provider) to another (new hosting provider).
Meanwhile, the DNS migration ensures that users can still find your website at its domain name. It’s like moving to a new house and updating your address with the post office so that your mail is delivered to the new location.
Common DNS Migration Mistakes to Avoid
Website owners often misunderstand DNS, and a few mistakes can cause delays or downtime. Here are some pitfalls to avoid during DNS migration:
- Not lowering the TTL: If you don’t lower the TTL well in advance (e.g., 24–48 hours before migration), propagation may take much longer.
- Neglecting backup: Always back up your DNS records before making changes. If something goes wrong, you can restore the old records quickly.
- Not testing thoroughly: Test your new server thoroughly before pointing the DNS records. Make sure everything works perfectly on the new server to avoid post-migration issues.
- Not considering email DNS settings: If your email services are tied to your old host, be sure to migrate those DNS records properly as well. Otherwise, you might experience email outages during the migration.
Conclusion
DNS migration is a critical part of website migration that involves updating DNS records to point to a new hosting server. The key takeaway is that while the process can seem technical, understanding how DNS works and planning ahead can ensure a smooth transition. Whether you’re migrating for better performance, cost-saving, or a fresh start, managing DNS effectively helps maintain continuity for your visitors.
Struggling with your website host? Tired of constant problems? We offer a free website DNS migration to our reliable servers. Let us handle the technical side while you focus on your business. To learn more about our services, check out our Website Hosting page and discover how we can support your business.