Overview
This article explains what settings change when a server is moved and how to resolve any subsequent issues.
DreamHost may move your server at times to optimize the hosting environment to ensure it remains dependable and secure. You will receive email notices before and after this type of move to keep you informed of this process.
What changes when a server moves?
Server name
When your server is moved, the name of it also changes. Each shared server at DreamHost has a unique hostname name you can view in the panel.
If you're using the server name to connect in your FTP client, you must update this to the new name. Otherwise, you can still use your website name to connect.
DNS settings
You only need to adjust your DNS settings if you are not using DreamHost’s nameservers. In this case, you must update your website's IP addresses at the company that hosts your nameservers.
- If your IP continues to point to the old server IP, your site will not function.
View the What DreamHost DNS records do I point my site to? article for information on how to find the correct IP addresses of your site.
Unique IPs will also change since DreamHost does not offer static IP addresses.
Troubleshooting issues after the move
After the migration completes, you may notice errors with your site or find it not responding as it once did. The following sections help you troubleshoot the most common causes of this.
Site is not responding
Here are a few site errors you may see and how to fix them.
Site not loading
This is most likely a DNS issue. View the DNS settings section above to correct this.
Site not found error
If your site is correctly pointed to your new DreamHost IP, it's possible you could see a Site Not Found error. View the Site not found article to fix this.
Email form or cron job is not working
It's possible to use your server name as part of your email address in a custom email form or cron job where username is your website user and servername is the name of your web server. For example:
username@servername.dreamhost.com
If you're using this format, make sure to update the name of your server in the email address.
Uploaded files do not display
This is likely because you're using the old server name in your FTP client, so the files were uploaded to the old server. View the Server name section above for details.
Server key is incorrect
The SSH keys will also change when the server is moved. If your SSH or FTP client previously saved the old server's key, you'll need to remove it. View the Updating host keys article for instructions on how to resolve this error.
When you log in to the new server, your client will prompt you to save the new key. Here's an example of what it will look like when you log in with an incorrectly saved key:
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @ WARNING: POSSIBLE DNS SPOOFING DETECTED! @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ The RSA host key for www.example.com has changed, and the key for the corresponding IP address xxx.xxx.x.xxx is unknown. This could either mean that DNS SPOOFING is happening or the IP address for the host and its host key have changed at the same time. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @ WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED! @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING NASTY! Someone could be eavesdropping on you right now (man-in-the-middle attack)! It is also possible that the RSA host key has just been changed. The fingerprint for the RSA key sent by the remote host is 0e:c2:f6:f4:d9:86:9d:4b:c4:3d:77:e7:a4:bb:59:14. Please contact your system administrator. Add correct host key in /Users/username/.ssh/known_hosts to get rid of this message. Offending key in /Users/username/.ssh/known_hosts:3 RSA host key for www.example.com has changed and you have requested strict checking. Host key verification failed.