Moving from another host/Pre-sales questions

[Triplec83]

1.) I'm interested in moving to HawkHost from another hosting company. I've read on other threads that if a customer's previous hosting company has Cpanel, then the transfer is easy. How exactly does that work?

2.) Also, I host a phpBB message board. Is that something that I would have to manually move over?

3.) Another question. I read that shoutboxes aren't allowed. I used to have one on my phpBB index page, until my current hosting company also banned them. Are there any types of shoutboxes that don't use as much server space and ARE allowed?

4.) This seems to be a fairly small company; about how many people are managing things? (Sorry if this is already answered somewhere on the main website, I couldn't find it.)

Thanks!

Edited December 5, 2008 by Triplec83

[Tony]

1.) I'm interested in moving to HawkHost from another hosting company. I've read on other threads that if a customer's previous hosting company has Cpanel, then the transfer is easy. How exactly does that work?

2.) Also, I host a phpBB message board. Is that something that I would have to manually move over?

3.) Another question. I read that shoutboxes aren't allowed. I used to have one on my phpBB index page, until my current hosting company also banned them. Are there any types of shoutboxes that don't use as much server space and ARE allowed?

4.) This seems to be a fairly small company; about how many people are managing things? (Sorry if this is already answered somewhere on the main website, I couldn't find it.)

Thanks!

1) If you can provide us with the backup or we login to your old host and generate the backup then it's an easy process. You'd just need to make a ticket and tell us which you plan on doing. The cPanel backup restores all files, databases, emails ect. ect. It is designed restore everything

2) The cPanel backup would include the phpbb board

3) The shoutbox space is not the issue it is system resource. A site with just 100 visitors a day with a shoutbox could generate 10,000 pageviews in a single day compared to probably close to 1000 without the shoutbox. They create a lot of traffic and make small sites which we would not notice become a site that is on the top 5 percentile of system resources.

4) Unfortunately this not something we disclose or planning on doing. We're ever growing which means more staff coming on as well to keep up with the growth. Rest assured we have enough staff that we're able to cover support 24/7 and that's what matters. Having 100 people on staff and nothing to do makes no sense obviously. We also try to be as efficient as possible reducing the number of tickets made and as a result requiring less staff.

[Triplec83]

Thank you for the prompt reply!

This is the first time I'm learning about the Cpanel backup feature! WOW! If it works, it will be SO much easier to transfer! I've moved my website before, but it took a lot of time and effort- especially to move the phpBB boards and corresponding database.

So, just to make sure I understand this. If I download my Cpanel backup, and then switch over to HawkHost, would I be able to restore/upload the backup through the Cpanel interface on my own?

Or would I need to email Hawkhost support to do it?

(Please excuse me if these questions are common sense for most people, I don't have much experience with full backup/restore issues like this. It seems too easy; I'm having trouble believeing I was doing it the hard way all these years.)

Edit: After looking around for more information on this, I realized that my Cpanel interface only allows me to generate home backups, not full backups. I can also download SQL database backups from the same screen.

Would this mean it would work to download my home backup, and my forum's SQL database, and then restore them both in Hawkhost Cpanel?

Edited December 5, 2008 by Triplec83

[Tony]

So, just to make sure I understand this. If I download my Cpanel backup, and then switch over to HawkHost, would I be able to restore/upload the backup through the Cpanel interface on my own?

Or would I need to email Hawkhost support to do it?

Edit: After looking around for more information on this, I realized that my Cpanel interface only allows me to generate home backups, not full backups. I can also download SQL database backups from the same screen.

Would this mean it would work to download my home backup, and my forum's SQL database, and then restore them both in Hawkhost Cpanel?

If you can generate a full backup at your current host then we can restore it for you. If you're having to make various backups of different potions then it's not something we can restore.

It does sound odd that your current host does not support generation of full backups. This feature is enabled on the majority of hosts unless they specifically disable it. So are you positive there isn't a link on the backups page to generate full ones?

[Triplec83]

Apparently my current host does have full backups disabled.

I'll just transfer things over in bits and pieces manually.

Thank you for your help.

[Cody R.]

Apparently my current host does have full backups disabled.

I'll just transfer things over in bits and pieces manually.

Thank you for your help.

Some hosts do this if they're worried that people will overuse the function and cause high loads on the server - that being said they SHOULD be able to provide you with a full backup without any qualms.

I hope you enjoy your stay with us !

[canadave]

3) The shoutbox space is not the issue it is system resource. A site with just 100 visitors a day with a shoutbox could generate 10,000 pageviews in a single day compared to probably close to 1000 without the shoutbox. They create a lot of traffic and make small sites which we would not notice become a site that is on the top 5 percentile of system resources.

So Cody/Tony, just to clarify this point so it's crystal clear--having a shoutbox on a site here is totally allowed, as long as it doesn't become a noticeable drain on system resources. Correct?

[Tony]

So Cody/Tony, just to clarify this point so it's crystal clear--having a shoutbox on a site here is totally allowed, as long as it doesn't become a noticeable drain on system resources. Correct?

Well any decent size site will quickly become a noticable drain with a shoutbox. So I really advise against it unless you like being harassed by us.