Backups

You may create manual backups. It is normally best to perform a home directory backup and a separate MySQL database backup, as the "full backup" can only be restored by server technicians.

We do not offer schedule backups as a part of your hosting package. We do not supply a script which can backup your data, nor can we help you use such a script, but if you are capable of writing such a script and of setting up crons, then you are free to do so as long as you do not violate the tos which includes not running crons more frequently than 15 minutes and not making backups of backups, which means you must be careful to remove the backup copy before performing the next backup.

Scheduled, automated, off-site backups are offered by CompuSolver.com and Web-Backup-Service.com, at reasonable fees.

Telnet

Telnet will work by default.

Telnet Command = telnet mail.domain.com port#

example telnet mail.mydomain.com 110
example2 telnet mail.mydomain.com 25

Commands available while using telnet:

Switch Hosts Without Downtime

Switching to a new host can seem like complicated process. Follow our steps to ensure that your move is smooth and painless.

1. The first step is to join your new host. Make sure to NOT cancel with your old hosting provider, and do not tell them you will be canceling. Keep this a secret from your old host, or they could prematurely terminate your site and cause downtime.
2. At this point, you should have hosting accounts with two hosting providers (the old and the new one). You will now migrate your entire site from the old host to the new one. This can be done by connecting to the old host's FTP and downloading all your files, and then by connecting to the new host's FTP and uploading all your files (maintain the same file and folder structure). If you choose to make SmBizHosting your new host, we may transfer your entire site over, free of charge!
3. You must also backup any databases on the old host (contact the old host for instructions) and upload the backup files to the new host via FTP. You must then restore your databases from those backup files; this can be done via SSH or cPanel's phpMyAdmin. Emails do not normally transfer, but you can archive your emails from the old host. You can accomplish this by making a POP3 connection to each email address; this way all the old emails are downloaded to your local computer. The new host will not have those old emails, but the new host will be able to get new emails.
4. If you choose to make SmBizHosting your new host, we may transfer your entire site (files and databases) over free of charge! If your old host used cPanel, we may be able to transfer emails as well.
5. After you have all your files on both hosting accounts, it is time to change your domain name's DNS by using a form on your domain registrar's website (GoDaddy.com, etc.).  This is how your nameservers (DNS) should look when pointed to our servers:
   
   ns1.smbizhosting.com
   ns2.smbizhosting.com
   
   
6. Once your DNS changes have been made, you will need to wait several hours (from one hour to two days) before your site will load from the new host. During this period, your DNS is propagating world wide and your site will be randomly loading from either the old host or the new host (depending on the user's ISP). Once the two days is complete, your site will only be loading from the new host.
7. After the 48 hours have passed, your updated DNS will be fully functional. You will now contact your old host and cancel your hosting account with them. If you originally bought your domain name from the old host, do not cancel your domain registration.  It may be a good idea to transfer your registrar from your old registrar to GoDaddy.com, after your new site is propagating.

If you completed all the above steps, you have successfully switched hosts with no downtime at all!

Control Panel

The control panel we use is the very popular, cPanel. Get a look at cPanel here.