Help Article What is domain propagation?
When a domain name is typed into a browser, it is the DNS (Domain Name System) that translates this domain name into an IP address in order to locate the website. The sole responsibility of a DNS server is to take domain names and associate them to an IP address.
When a website is moved to a new server (with a different IP address), or a new domain is registered, there is a change of IP address. Every DNS server in the world needs to update its record of what IP is associated with this domain. This is called propagation. In other words, propagation is the time it takes for the DNS (Domain Name System) to update globally following a change to DNS.
Changes to DNS records do not propagate throughout the Internet immediately, as all server caches first need to expire and refresh, which typically takes 24 to 72 hours.
During this time, if you are transferring your domain to another service provider, some nameservers will still refer to your site’s old hosting location while nameservers that have already been notified of the change will refer to the new location. As a result, visitors accessing your site may be directed to either the old or new location, depending upon which nameserver they connect to.
How do I access my hosting package?
Before or during the propagation period, you will need to use your temporary URL and IP address to upload files, view your site and set up email. These details are available in konsoleH:
- If logged in at Admin level, search for the relevant domain, then select
info - If logged in at Domain level, you will open on the Account Information page
- Temporary URL: URL option 5
- IP Address:
DNS Primary
If some visitors are still being directed to your old site location after 72 hours have lapsed, you should contact your previous service provider and request that they delete the DNS zone for your domain from their nameservers.