Avoiding DNS Outage with Domain Transfers

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datahawk

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#223140 14-Sep-2017 16:51

I have a very old 'paradise.net.nz' domain currently controlled by Vodafone or Clear.net or Paradise.net.nz

The (busy 24/7) Linux server for this domain is located and managed by me in my office on a static IP that won't be changing.

I'm trying to get a current UDAI out of Vodafone to transfer this domain to Metaname where two of my other domains reside.

I do not want any downtime on this server if possible.

My primary issue is that trying to get any sense out of Vodafone at present is a nightmare and I have been told that I have no access to a domain control panel to allow me to change the name servers prior to moving the domain.

It appears that Vodafone immediately disconnect DNS when a domain is transferred away from them. However with this old paradise domain, I have yet to get a straight answer about the ramifications of attempting this.

Plan A - Is that I set up a zone with Metaname (that still points the A records at the same static IP, but uses Metaname DNS) a day before attempting the domain transfer to them, then execute the transfer.

Metaname has a procedure to do this but they mention that the name server records should be changed on the original domain an hour before executing but I have no access to those settings via a control panel.

Will I have a downtime outage if I just go ahead and transfer without changing the paradise name server settings?

Any other clever plans gladly accepted.

Edit: Clarification - It is just a registered .co.nz domain with VF. There is no hosting involved and only an mx record pointing at the soon to be stopped paradise.net.nz mail

michaelmurfy

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#1866369 14-Sep-2017 16:58

I'd recommend just migrating the DNS over to CloudFlare (free) and from there when you change the domain over you also set the CloudFlare nameservers in Metaname too.

From there, when the transfer happens you'll have no downtime. Just ensure the records are the same in CloudFlare, transfer DNS over to them then transfer the domain. You'll also benefit from the many other things CloudFlare offer in terms of caching, security etc.

Done this many times without any downtime.

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michaelmurfy

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#1866373 14-Sep-2017 16:59

Something to add too is Metaname support CloudFlare's DNSSEC setup. You can enable it once you're all transferred across.

datahawk

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#1866381 14-Sep-2017 17:12

michaelmurfy: I'd recommend just migrating the DNS over to CloudFlare (free) and from there when you change the domain over you also set the CloudFlare nameservers in Metaname too.

So, before I go sign up to yet another platform to take a look, can this CloudFlare service be set up without having to have the existing domain DNS altered before the transfer. i.e. I don't have get access to the existing domain name server settings at paradise ?

datahawk

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#1866423 14-Sep-2017 18:41

datahawk:

michaelmurfy: I'd recommend just migrating the DNS over to CloudFlare (free) and from there when you change the domain over you also set the CloudFlare nameservers in Metaname too.

So, before I go sign up to yet another platform to take a look, can this CloudFlare service be set up without having to have the existing domain DNS altered before the transfer. i.e. I don't have get access to the existing domain name server settings at paradise ?

Thanks, but the CloudFlare setup still requires that I change the existing DNS. That is my problem. I don't have access to the dns settings at VF - Grrrr.

michaelmurfy

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#1866424 14-Sep-2017 18:45

datahawk:

Thanks, but the CloudFlare setup still requires that I change the existing DNS. That is my problem. I don't have access to the dns settings at VF - Grrrr.

You don't have a control panel? Seems strange. As long as you have the main records the exact same in Cloudflare you should be fine when you do the transfer (just update these in Metaname).

timmmay

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#1866427 14-Sep-2017 19:01

DNS swap usually doesn't result in downtime. Just set up DNS at the new provider, change the name servers are your registrar.

Your post isn't clear enough to provide any more information. If you try to be a bit more precise about who your registrar, DNS provider, and hosting provider are I might be able to give a bit more advice.

I use CloudFlare a lot, they're great for DNS or a basic solid CDN.

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datahawk

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#1866428 14-Sep-2017 19:01

michaelmurfy:

datahawk:

Thanks, but the CloudFlare setup still requires that I change the existing DNS. That is my problem. I don't have access to the dns settings at VF - Grrrr.

You don't have a control panel? Seems strange. As long as you have the main records the exact same in Cloudflare you should be fine when you do the transfer (just update these in Metaname).

Nope, no control panel access from VF. They say the domain is in an old platform. I'm even having trouble trying to get a UDAI from them!

No action so far except for the usual 2-5 days support email standard reply. Called them today, still no further, was told to email the domains department. Still no reply.

I don't understand your suggested CloudFlare procedure because step 4 of the CloudFlare DNS set up is:

"Sign into your registrar to update your current nameservers with Cloudflare nameservers."

That's what I can't do.

datahawk

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#1866438 14-Sep-2017 19:12

timmmay:

DNS swap usually doesn't result in downtime. Just set up DNS at the new provider, change the name servers are your registrar.

Your post isn't clear enough to provide any more information. If you try to be a bit more precise about who your registrar, DNS provider, and hosting provider are I might be able to give a bit more advice.

I use CloudFlare a lot, they're great for DNS or a basic solid CDN.

As above. Why is my post not clear?

Registrar: Vodafone (domain was registered through paradise.net.nz years ago) - Since acquired by Vodafone.

DNS: xxxx.paradise.net.nz

I don't have access the change DNS settings before transfer.

michaelmurfy

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#1866440 14-Sep-2017 19:16

I recommend Cloudflare based on these reasons:

1) Speed.
2) Security.
3) Keeping it separate from your domain provider.

There is many many options you can configure in it - if you're running a web server having Cloudflare in front of it protects your site/app and adds caching to the mix too. Geekzone and many other sites use Cloudflare too (for a live example try loading https://murfy.nz and test how quick it is). I also have another site that gets ~1mil (peaked to 5mil) hits per day sitting behind Cloudflare to aid in caching and reduce server load:

What I am saying is, you can still configure your DNS data and place the Cloudflare nameservers under Name Server Sets in Metaname (in advance). When you do your transfer select the Cloudflare DNS servers under the domain:

From there when the domain fully moves across you'll be served via Cloudflare DNS straight away resulting in no downtime. You can then fine tune your site/app to make it faster for end users etc. Well worth upgrading to a CDN when you do the move to a new domain provider regardless.

Else, you can move to Metaname's DNS but you may as well kill 2 birds with one stone.

datahawk

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#1866463 14-Sep-2017 19:31

michaelmurfy:

What I am saying is, you can still configure your DNS data and place the Cloudflare nameservers under Name Server Sets in Metaname (in advance). When you do your transfer select the Cloudflare DNS servers under the domain:

OK, I am aware of the Sets in Metaname.

So if I now understand correctly, IF I input the allocated CloudFare DNS server names into my new zone I create at Metaname before I hit the transfer button to move from VF Registrar to Metaname Registrar, I can simply ignore the existing xxxx.paradise.net.nz DNS servers in the Vodafone domain configuration.

Click the transfer button and no down time. Yes ?

michaelmurfy

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#1866470 14-Sep-2017 19:46

datahawk:

OK, I am aware of the Sets in Metaname.

So if I now understand correctly, IF I input the allocated CloudFare DNS server names into my new zone I create at Metaname before I hit the transfer button to move from VF Registrar to Metaname Registrar, I can simply ignore the existing xxxx.paradise.net.nz DNS servers in the Vodafone domain configuration.

Click the transfer button and no down time. Yes ?

Yep correct. Just prepare the Cloudflare DNS records ahead of time, change the DNS zone in Metaname and Bingo.

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datahawk

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#1866493 14-Sep-2017 20:09

michaelmurfy:

datahawk:

OK, I am aware of the Sets in Metaname.

So if I now understand correctly, IF I input the allocated CloudFare DNS server names into my new zone I create at Metaname before I hit the transfer button to move from VF Registrar to Metaname Registrar, I can simply ignore the existing xxxx.paradise.net.nz DNS servers in the Vodafone domain configuration.

Click the transfer button and no down time. Yes ?

Yep correct. Just prepare the Cloudflare DNS records ahead of time, change the DNS zone in Metaname and Bingo.

Well, almost. I now have a CloudFlare account with two allocated name servers for the domain I want to transfer.

I've just created a new zone at Metaname and I can add the A records but it does not give me access to the DNS button because the domain has not been transferred yet.

I'm guess that I have to do the transfer tomorrow, after I get my UDAI out of Vodafone, then paste the CloudFlare servers straight into the Metaname DNS Set.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Cheers

Paul

timmmay

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#1866503 14-Sep-2017 20:34

datahawk:

As above. Why is my post not clear?

Registrar: Vodafone (domain was registered through paradise.net.nz years ago) - Since acquired by Vodafone.

DNS: xxxx.paradise.net.nz

I don't have access the change DNS settings before transfer.

You used imprecise terms. Controled, managed, etc, are ambiguous around DNS, whereas registrar, DNS provider, and host are precise.

Two choices, which I think have been outlined:

Set up CloudFlare, then ask Vodafone to change the name servers to the ones CloudFlare gives you. That's half a solution.
Transfer the domain to a new registrar. If you need a UDAI you don't have I suggest you find a way to encourage Vodafone to sort their sh** out. Escalate from ask on GZ and maybe a staff member will help, vodafone customer service, their complaints team, Twitter, CEO email, telecommunications disputes.

Hope that helps

datahawk

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#1866965 15-Sep-2017 15:26

datahawk:

I'll let you know how it turns out.

I had to call VF yet again today to get my UDAI generated and delivered. Even then, I had to raise my voice a tad when the rep tried to tell me I would get it by the end of the day. It was subsequently generated and delivered within 5 minutes which is what should have been done two days ago!

I did not ask VF to change the existing name servers before the transfer because the chances are that it would not be done correctly so I just hit the transfer button...

There was no downtime. I had already set up Cloudflare DNS last night and I set those new name servers immediately after domain was transferred from VF this morning.

It took 51 minutes for Cloudflare to confirm the domain had been added to their service.

Thanks for the help.

datahawk

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#1866970 15-Sep-2017 15:34

michaelmurfy: Something to add too is Metaname support CloudFlare's DNSSEC setup. You can enable it once you're all transferred across.

Yep, This is all up and running as well on three domains also.

I had previously read some info about DNSSEC in the past but it's just too easy to drop tech like this into the 'too hard basket' until you take the time to play with it.

Thanks for the tip.