Hi there. I know this is around somewhere, but my experience with DNS and registrations is so limited I don't even know the right vocabulary to search for.

I have my sites on Dreamhost, and registered with them. I have my new copy of the site up and running over here, so that's ready to go.

Now, whats the general idea of how to point the old domain over here? Do I need a separate service to manage registrations?

I am a programmer, so you don't have to go too in depth, just a basic outline of the process is more than enough, I can Google the details. I'd learn this myself, but I'm afraid I'd ruin my site and lose all my traffic in the process.

Thanks in advance.

First, create the appropriate DNS entries in Linode's name servers - generally you will need an 'A' record to assign an IP to a domain or subdomain. You will also need an MX (Mail eXchange) record.

Just look at Linode's DNS Manager (after logging in) and it will become clear. Then, test that everything is fine with the "dig" command.

Then, ask your registrar (Dreamhost I assume) to change the name server entries to Linodes's:

ns1.linode.com
ns2.linode.com
ns2.linode.com
ns3.linode.com

If you'd like to use Linode's DNS service, it can handle all the complicated stuff for you. Here are a few steps to get you started:

1) On your registrar's site, enter the following as the nameserver's for your domain:

ns1.linode.com
ns2.linode.com
ns3.linode.com
ns4.linode.com

2) Then, login to Linode and go the DNS Manager. Add a new domain zone there and make sure you select "master".

3) Everything should be ready in a few minutes. What's next depends on your server preference. I'm using Apache so adding a VirtualHost for the domain I've just added in the DNS Manager is the final step.

I'll try to help if you need more.

Thanks guys, worked like a charm. I was afraid it was going to be a lot more complicated.

I moved my first site fine, but I've moved my second and I've got a DNS ERROR thing now. I have an entry in my local hosts file to check the server with, but the world still isn't seeing it.




Here's my DNS entry that works:

$TTL 86400
@ IN SOA ns1.linode.com. (myemail). (
2009011858
7200
7200
1209600
86400
)
@ NS ns1.linode.com.
@ NS ns2.linode.com.
@ NS ns3.linode.com.
@ NS ns4.linode.com.
@ MX 10 mail.dailysg.com.
@ A 75.127.97.197
www A 75.127.97.197
mail A 75.127.97.197
* A 75.127.97.197



And here's my new zone that has errors:

$TTL 86400
@ IN SOA ns1.linode.com. (myemail). (
2009011858
7200
7200
1209600
86400
)
@ NS ns1.linode.com.
@ NS ns2.linode.com.
@ NS ns3.linode.com.
@ NS ns4.linode.com.
@ MX 10 mail.humanbenchmark.com.
@ A 75.127.97.197
www A 75.127.97.197
mail A 75.127.97.197
* A 75.127.97.197





Any idea?

Also, if it matters, I'm using the same email address for each, and it's on a separate domain.

It's fixed now, just had to make it ACTIVE again.