Pointing domain to new VPS

If your new host will provide you authoritative name servers to use, then yes, you’ll just have to point the domain to the new name servers.

But if your new host will not provide you authoritative name server to use, you have two options:

1) Use a third-party name server (eg CloudFlare, Hurricane Electric, your domain registrar’s name servers, etc) and point the “A” record to your new server’s IP address

2) Alternatively, you can easily setup your own nameservers in your cPanel/WHM server. When you do this, you’ll need to setup “child name servers” in your email registrar’s control panel, which will link the custom nameservers you setup in cPanel/WHM to your server’s IP address.

With the DNS part sorted out, and unless you buy a really crappy VPS, you shouldn’t have any problem restoring your site.

PS: You mentioned “disagreements” with your host, who are also your domain registrar. Maybe time to transfer your domain to another host!

Hey George, When purchasing my new VPS, I had two options – Register a new domain, or “change nameservers on your exiting registrar”. I chose it, and than I named my server and both nameservers (like xxx1.mydomain.com and xxx2.mydomain.com).
I think that this means I have authoritative name servers to use… (if not please remark)

If so (I do have them),at my domain management page (registrar) – do I just need to update namserver 1 and 2 at the “Use custom nameservers (enter below)” section, or do I first need to register them at the private namservers section (registration via nameserver+ip). I think this is method 2 for the case that I don’t get them from my VPS service (correct me if I’m wrong).

Regarding the last part, yeah there were some accusations flying around but we “agreed” to split, i.e. to cancel the VPS service. Could this company dare to sabotage my domain settings? This is the only service I have left with them and is paid till next year.
I want to see my site back up before I transfer my domain.

BTW I’m really new to this as you can see, thanks for understanding.

@re673,

I have 10+ years experience in managing cPanel servers and would like to help you here. But English is my 3rd language — and without knowing the specifics of your case, and I’m struggling to find the words to help you.

Can you at least mention your domain name? I could then run a WHOIS query to dig out some details and know exactly what steps you need to take.

If you’re unable to mention the domain name…

If you WANT to use xxx1.mydomain.com and xxx1.mydomain.com as name servers, then you MUST setup child name servers at the registrar. Is your old host an actual ICANN-accredited registrar, or are they resellers for another registrar? The latter can complicate matters, as some resellers use their own client management software which may limit the domain management features available to you.

But if you were using xxx1.mydomain.com and xxx2.mydomain.com at the old host, then child name servers are already set up. But you still need to change the IP addresses of the child name servers to point to the new VPS IP address.

Then in your new cPanel server, you must use these name servers xxx1.mydomain.com xxx2.mydomain.com and set A records for both (If you got a managed VPS your host may have done this for you already.)

NB: Note that some REGISTRARS call child name servers “custom name servers”, “glue records” (though I believe that is erroneous), etc.

I did use 2 nameservers with the old host VPS, but while ordering the new one I chose different names… would I be able to change them after it’s ready? I think I’ll just setup those new ones at my registrar. BTW I got an email from the new host saying they will setup and configure my VPS today (they know I plan to point my domain using nameservers).

Unfortunately I don’t know for sure if the registrar is a reseller or not, I think they are…
Anyway I have this option to create “Child name servers” from the registrar client –

“Register Nameservers
From here you can create and manage custom nameservers for your domain (eg. NS1.yourdomain.com, NS2.yourdomain.com…). “

I can create a new one, edit (put old ip and new ip) and delete.

So I’m thinking, I’ll go to my new VPS panel (BTW it says “SSH Access / VPS Panel”, I think they will already set up the A records) and get my new nameservers with their IPs, than go to the registrar and register/create them (I just need to enter the name and IP, looks quite simple), and for the last part just go and update them (in this section I still see my old nameserves of the old VPS).

Edit: to elaborate more, if I wanted to use the old ones, I had to “edit” them with the new ips I get from my new host. So instead I’ll just register\setup 2 new ones (all of those option are on the same page), and than put them to replace the old ones that are still shown on the pointing page, and than the propagation…

I think I got it George, any remarks?

BTW I got an email from the new host saying they will setup and configure my VPS today (they know I plan to point my domain using nameservers).

If you purchased a MANAGED VPS, then your host *should* configure everything for you. Your only job would be to login to your domain registrar and create the child name servers (or update existing ones). You

But if you bought an unmanaged (ie self-managed) VPS, all you’ll get from your host will be your new server’s IP address, root password and access to the VPS control panel (typically SolusVM). You’ll then need to install and configure cPanel yourself. (At best your host may install a standard cPanel template, and ready for you to configure).

So, perhaps. we should just wait and see what you get from your new host.

Yeah we should wait… they are taking too much (already more than a day, it’s linux, should be faster).

BTW this might help, this host has packages of VPS from certain countries that state “SSH Access / Unmanaged” but I chose one that states “SSH Access / VPS Panel”.
From this (plus the Email) I could only understand that one package is “unmanaged” while the other (my choice) isn’t, thus being “managed”.

Anyway I’ve opened another ticket regarding the delay and also mentioned that (if the A records would be set up already, etc.)