How do I move a domain name to another Linode server?
I've been playing around with some servers and realized that I want to assign a domain name to a different Linode instance. I have one set up now with a domain (let's call it xyz.dev on Node1) and I have another Linode setup, call it Node2, with no domain at all.
So, Node1 has domain xyz.com and Node2 currently has no domain name (I access it by IP address). I want to change the DNS so that xyz.com points to Node 2, then I want to assign a new domain name for Node1.
Note: I set up Let's Encrypt already for Node1 and will need to set it up for Node2, as well - once the domain names and DNS are squared away.
6 Replies
In this instance, you need only change your DNS entries from pointing at your first Linode, to the second. The changes may take some time to propagate, but this should allow you to access the second Linode just as you had once accessed the first.
In this example, let's say you had DNS entries pointing to 1.2.3.1 for the first Linode, but you need them to point at 1.2.3.2 for the second Linode, instead. You'll change your A records, and AAA records if using IPV6, to point to the second Linode's IP addresses, and if desired, remove any reverse DNS entries for your first Linode and add them on the second.
Once this is done, you should be able to create another domain for your first Linode and point the DNS entries to its IP addresses.
I'd like to change the domain name, too. Can I just edit the "Domains/xyz.com" at the top of the "Domains" tab?
Also, what about the "SOA Record"?
I think you can do that, and I believe you'll simply leave the SOA record alone. I've never modified mine before.
I'm really getting myself confused… the domain name on the machine itself will need to change. The DNS change seems to have taken effect, but the local hostname is still the old one.
I haven't gone too far with this… I could theoretically destroy these instances and start over.
Ugh…
Setting up Let's Encrypt shouldn't be too complicated, just set it up again as you did before. So far as the old server goes, you'll have to remove the old domain and set up the new one. Changing the hostname shouldn't be complicated, you should be able to use hostnamectl, unless you set up the hostname differently than that.
If you are too confused about everything, though, rebuilding and starting over would work well enough.