Barbara Feldman: Tips on Testing a New Server

Tips on Testing a New Server

I am currently testing a new server for my flagship site Surfnetkids.com. The transition has been difficult, probably more so because I so feared moving. But a few days ago I learned a new trick that has helped so much, I just had to share.

Now that all the files and scripts are have been copied to the new server, it's time for testing. I used to think that the only way to do this was to assign a secret domain name (some odd variation on my primary surfnetkids.com name) and test that way. But many of scripts and pages reference the www.surfnetkids.com url, which bounces me back to the existing site.

The solution is to modify your local DNS table on your personal Windows desktop computer. This is simply a text file, and so easy to edit I was blown away. Changing your local DNS table only affects your computer, not everyone else's -- yet allows you to completely test all aspects of your site: email, secure certificates, ecommerce. everything!

Rather than explain the details here, I will point you to my favorite guru, Leo Notenboom, who explains local DNS tables here.

Just one more note. Leo's explanation said the hosts file can be found at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts . But on my Windows XP Home machine, I found it at c:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc\hosts . If yours isn't there, I suggest doing a desktop search for "hosts".