(Image: canva.com)
Update: 11:30 Feb 8, 2025: I believe the move to be complete and all systems operational once again.
The only real hiccup is related to IMAP, which of course you should not be using (use only POP3 please).
The page on webmail and changing your own password has been updated.
The time has come once again for exmsft.com to move server hosts. This one’s mostly a cost-saving move, in addition to an OS upgrade, but will also standardize the server management tools I use across several systems.
When: February 8 (and hopefully not 9th), 2025
Impact: The server will stop receiving email for a period of time. This should be benign, as senders should retry sending in “a while”. There may also be momentary sign-in issues for checking email.
In theory it should be almost but not quite transparent. There will be issues — we’re moving over a thousand email accounts after all — so I won’t promise any differently. Having done this type of move for another client, the issues should be resolved relatively quickly, however.
How to prepare
Stay on top of your exmsft.com email. Download what you need prior to the 8th. Don’t rely on being able to send on the 8th or 9th. (Remember that in general exmsft.com is provided on a “best effort” basis, so the impact should be low unless you’re relying on exmsft.com a tad more than you probably should be.)
New features
I’m changing server management software as part of this move. cPanel (at InMotion hosting) is being replaced by VirtualMin (at Contabo). This has a couple of interesting side-effects:
- A new webmail.
- The ability to specify your own alternate email address.
- The ability to use that alternate email address to change your own password.
Status
This is the page to return to for status updates throughout the update. This section will have the latest news and status. (All times PST.)
09:57 AM 08-Feb-2025 – In theory mail is flowing.
09:50 AM 08-Feb-2025 – SSL certificate updated.
09:47 AM 08-Feb-2025 – DNS updated. Generally updates quickly, but can take 24+ hours to propagate worldwide.
09:42 AM 08-Feb-2025 – WordPress website restored. If you’re seeing this, you’re seeing the new server.
09:19 AM 08-Feb-2025 – Restore complete. Making final tweaks.
08:09 AM 08-Feb-2025 – Restore initiated.
08:03 AM 08-Feb-2025 – Backup complete, transfer initiated. (~5GB)
07:48 AM 08-Feb-2025 – Mail services turned off. Backup initiated.
05:05 PM 07-Feb-2025 – Reminder email sent to all users.
05:30 PM 01-Feb-2025 – Initial announcement send to all users and the Facebook group.
04:49 PM 01-Feb-2025 – New server spun up at Contabo. Webmin installed and configured.