TTL management is the most often neglected aspect of DNS migrations. A TTL of 86400 seconds (24h) means even after changing your IP, some users will see the old one for a full day. The solution: reduce TTL BEFORE migration, make the change, then raise TTL again. This simple technique can transform a painful migration into a smooth operation.
Migration Problems Without TTL Prep
- Migration "complete" but some clients still see old server
- Double load: old and new server both receiving traffic
- Inability to shut down old server for 24-48h
- Confusion about actual migration status
Recommended Timeline
- D-48h: Reduce TTL to 300s (5 min). Wait for old TTL to expire everywhere.
- D-0 (migration): Make the IP change. With 300s TTL, 95% of users migrate in 10-15 min.
- D+24h: After validating success, progressively raise TTL (1h, then 24h).
Implementation
- Identify current TTL for all records to migrate.
- Reduce to 300s and wait at least the old TTL before migrating.
- Perform migration and monitor with MoniTao.
- Once stable, raise TTL to optimize performance.
MoniTao for Migrations
MoniTao facilitates your DNS migrations:
- Real-time propagation verification during migration
- Alert when new server is globally accessible
- Detection if some regions remain on old IP
TTL Migration Checklist
- Reduce TTL 48-72h before, not same day
- Don't go below 300s to avoid DNS overload
- Verify reduction is propagated before migrating
- Keep a rollback plan if new server has issues
FAQ - TTL Migration
Why not 60s TTL for faster migration?
Possible but increases DNS load. 300s is a good compromise between speed and stability.
Can I migrate without reducing TTL?
Yes, but you'll need to keep old server functional for entire current TTL duration.
Does TTL impact site performance?
Low TTL increases DNS resolutions. Impact is minimal for users but measurable on DNS server side.
What TTL to raise to after migration?
3600s (1h) for good balance. 86400s (24h) if your IP is very stable and fast failover isn't critical.
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