Transfer domain from Cyon to CURIAWEB: Change nameservers or transfer domain

If your domain is registered with Cyon and you want to use CURIAWEB hosting, you do not necessarily have to transfer the domain.

You can continue to manage the domain with Cyon and simply adjust the nameservers or DNS records for CURIAWEB hosting. Alternatively, you can transfer the domain completely from Cyon to CURIAWEB and also handle domain management via CURIAWEB in the future.

Briefly explained: If you only want to move your hosting to CURIAWEB, the domain can remain registered with Cyon. If you also want to transfer domain management, you will need a domain transfer and the auth code from Cyon.

Option 1: Keep the domain with Cyon and use CURIAWEB hosting #

Domain registration and web hosting are technically separate from each other.

Therefore, a domain registered with Cyon can easily be used with CURIAWEB hosting.

There are basically two options available for this:

• You change the nameservers at Cyon to the CURIAWEB nameservers.
• You keep the Cyon nameservers and only change the required DNS records in the Cyon DNS editor.

We explain the fundamental differences under Keep domain with another registrar and connect to CURIAWEB Hosting.

Enter CURIAWEB nameservers at Cyon #

Cyon allows changing the nameservers of a domain registered with Cyon directly via my.cyon.

Proceed as follows:

1. Log in to my.cyon a.
2. Select in the menu All products.
3. Open the desired product by clicking on its name.
4. On the overview page you will find in the area Domain overview the currently used nameservers. In the case of a site builder, this information can be found in the section Sitebuilder Overview.
5. Click next to the nameservers on Change nameserver.
6. Enter the CURIAWEB nameservers.
7. Confirm input with Enter nameserver.

The CURIAWEB nameservers are:

ns1.curiaweb.ch
ns2.curiaweb.ch

You can find further information at Finding and correctly using CURIAWEB nameservers.

Important: Before changing the nameservers, the DNS zone should be fully prepared on the CURIAWEB nameservers. Changing nameservers does not automatically copy the existing DNS configuration from Cyon.

What should be considered with DNSSEC? #

If DNSSEC is enabled for your domain with Cyon, you should pay special attention to this point before changing your nameservers.

In its current documentation, Cyon recommends disabling DNSSEC before changing the nameservers.

After deactivation, Cyon recommends at least 4 hours to wait for the TTL of the relevant DNSSEC records to expire. Only after that should the nameservers be changed.

Attention: When DNSSEC is active, do not simply change the nameservers on a hunch. An incorrectly prepared DNSSEC transition can cause resolvers to no longer successfully resolve the domain.

Check existing DNS records before the switch #

Before changing the nameserver, you should document which DNS records your domain currently uses.

In addition to the website, for example, the following services can depend on the DNS zone:

• Email
• Subdomains
• SPF
• DKIM
• DMARC
• external services
• Domain Verifications

With the CURIAWEB DNS-Check can you check publicly visible DNS information of your domain.

We explain how to classify the results under Check DNS records: View current DNS configuration of a domain.

Can I keep the Cyon nameservers? #

Yes.

You do not necessarily have to change the nameservers to use CURIAWEB hosting.

If you prefer to keep your DNS management with Cyon, the Cyon nameservers can remain active. In that case, you simply update the records in Cyon's DNS editor that should point to the CURIAWEB hosting.

According to the current Cyon documentation, the DNS editor is available via the relevant product and then via Web hosting, Sitebuilder or Domain → DNS Editor reachable.

Changes in the Cyon DNS editor are only effective if the domain actually uses the Cyon nameservers.

Which DNS records do I need to change? #

That depends on which services are to switch to CURIAWEB.

If only the website is migrating, the entries for email should not automatically be changed as well.

For a website, A, AAAA, or CNAME records can be particularly relevant. For email, on the other hand, MX and TXT entries, among others, play a role.

You can find an explanation of the different record types under DNS Records Explained: A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and CAA.

Important: For the connection to your CURIAWEB hosting, use exclusively the specific server or DNS data of your hosting account. A general guide should not specify a supposedly universal hosting IP.

How long does the nameserver change take at Cyon? #

Cyon points out that updating new name servers takes up to 24 hours can take.

This does not mean that every change takes exactly 24 hours. During a transition, DNS caches and delegation information can cause not all resolvers to use the exact same information at the same time.

Cyon therefore recommends ensuring that the required services remain accessible via both the previous and the new DNS infrastructure during the transition phase.

We explain the technical background at What is DNS propagation and why does a DNS change take time?.

Option 2: Transfer domain from Cyon to CURIAWEB #

If you want to transfer not only the hosting but also the domain management from Cyon to CURIAWEB, you perform a domain transfer.

For that, you need the Auth Code the domain.

Cyon also uses the terms for this:

• Auth Code
• Transfer code
• Authorization code

The code is used to authorize the registrar transfer.

Request an auth code from Cyon #

According to the current Cyon documentation, you can get the auth code via my.cyon.

Proceed as follows:

1. Log in to my.cyon a.
2. Open All products.
3. Select the desired domain or the relevant product.
4. Go to the section Domain overview.
5. Click on Cancel Domain.
6. After the termination, below the termination date, the Auth Code displayed.

You then use this auth code for the domain transfer to CURIAWEB.

Important: According to the current documentation at Cyon, canceling the domain is part of the procedure to obtain the auth code for an outgoing transfer. Therefore, only carry out this cancellation if you actually intend to perform the subsequent domain transfer.

Will the domain be deleted immediately upon cancellation with Cyon? #

No.

Cyon states that the domain will be canceled at the end of its term. After cancellation, the auth code will be displayed, which you can use to transfer the domain to a new registrar.

However, the transfer should be completed in a timely manner.

Cyon strongly advises against postponing the transfer until the end of the term: If the domain is not transferred in time, it will be deleted on the specified date and can no longer be transferred through the normal transfer process.

Practical Tip: Cyon recommends carrying out the domain transfer at least one week before the displayed cancellation date.

Do I need to unlock the domain at Cyon as well? #

Whether a transfer authorization is required in addition to the auth code depends on the domain extension and the specific transfer procedure.

Cyon points out for generic top-level domains that the domain must be unlocked for transfer by the previous registrar.

However, this rule cannot be applied generally to every country code extension.

If your domain has a registrar lock, you can find more information at Unlock domain for transfer: Registrar Lock and transfer lock explained.

What should you keep in mind regarding DNSSEC before transferring a domain? #

Cyon also recommends disabling DNSSEC in good time before a domain transfer, if DNSSEC is active for the domain in question.

According to Cyon, after deactivation at least 4 hours must be waited for so that the TTL of the DNSSEC records can expire before the domain transfer is initiated.

Cyon points out that an incorrectly deactivated DNSSEC configuration can cause the domain to become temporarily inaccessible.

For a production domain, this step should therefore be carefully planned.

Do I need to change the nameservers before the transfer? #

Not fundamentally.

A registrar transfer is initially an administrative change. Website, DNS, and email are technically distinct from this.

However, there is an important exception with Cyon: Cyon points out that the Cyon DNS zone may no longer be available after a transfer if Cyon is subsequently neither the registrar of the domain nor the domain is used on Cyon web hosting.

If you're using Cyon's name servers and want to transfer both your domain and hosting away from Cyon, you should therefore set up the new DNS infrastructure before the domain transfer takes place.

Important: Before the transfer, check where your DNS zone should be hosted after the registrar change. Do not rely on a DNS zone previously managed by Cyon automatically continuing to exist after a complete transfer away.

What will happen to my website with Cyon? #

A domain transfer does not automatically copy the website to CURIAWEB.

Website files and databases must be transferred separately to the new hosting environment.

Therefore, the existing Cyon web hosting should not be terminated as long as the website is still operated there or data is needed for the migration.

What will happen to my email accounts at Cyon? #

Email accounts and existing messages are also not automatically transferred by a domain transfer.

If the email accounts are also to be moved to CURIAWEB, the accounts must be set up in the new hosting environment and existing messages migrated if necessary.

If email is to continue being operated via a previous or external mail service, the necessary DNS records must be retained.

You don't want to migrate your website and emails yourself? #

If, in addition to the domain, your website and email accounts are also to be transferred from Cyon to CURIAWEB, you do not need to carry out the technical migration yourself.

CURIAWEB handles the migration of a website, including databases and email mailboxes, for new customers as part of the Free moving service.

The new hosting environment is being prepared before the final DNS switchover takes place.

Practical Tip: If you want to use our moving service, do not cancel your Cyon web hosting prematurely and do not change nameservers or DNS records on suspicion. For a controlled migration, we need access to the existing environment and the data stored there.

Can I keep the domain at Cyon and only move the website and email to CURIAWEB? #

Yes.

A domain transfer is not required for this.

The domain can still be registered and renewed with Cyon. You use nameservers or DNS records to determine which servers are responsible for the website and email.

Can only the website switch to CURIAWEB and email stay with Cyon? #

Generally yes, provided that the existing Cyon service continues to allow the desired email usage.

On the DNS side, the records required for the website are pointed to CURIAWEB, while the MX and other DNS entries required for the mail service are preserved.

Especially with such a division, DNS records should not be replaced wholesale.

What is the safest order for a complete move? #

If the domain, website, and email are to be completely transferred from Cyon to CURIAWEB, the migration should be carried out in a planned manner.

1. Document the existing DNS configuration.
2. Check if DNSSEC is enabled.
3. Prepare the CURIAWEB hosting.
4. Transfer website and databases.
5. If necessary, prepare the email accounts and mail migration.
6. Set up all required DNS records on the DNS infrastructure to be used in the future.
7. If DNSSEC is active, deactivate it according to the procedure provided by Cyon and observe the waiting period recommended by Cyon.
8. Request the auth code from Cyon using the designated domain cancellation procedure.
9. Start the domain transfer to CURIAWEB well before the cancellation date.
10. Carry out the planned nameserver or DNS change in a controlled manner.
11. Check website, HTTPS, email, and DNS.
12. Do not terminate unneeded Cyon services until the migration is fully completed.

How long does the domain transfer from Cyon to CURIAWEB take? #

The duration depends on the domain extension.

Cyon explicitly points out that domain transfers take varying lengths of time depending on the domain extension.

Generic top-level domains may have different transfer procedures and deadlines than, for example, a .ch-Domain.

You can find more information at How long does a domain transfer to CURIAWEB take?.

How do I check the domain after the transfer? #

After a nameserver change or after the complete migration, you should check the publicly visible DNS configuration.

With the CURIAWEB DNS-Check Can you check which DNS information is currently visible for your domain.

If the CURIAWEB nameservers are to be used, you expect:

ns1.curiaweb.ch
ns2.curiaweb.ch

Also check:

• Website
• HTTPS
• Email reception and transmission
• Subdomains
• Forms
• external services and verifications

Change nameservers or transfer domain? #

If you only want to use CURIAWEB hosting, the domain does not need to be transferred away from Cyon. You can simply adjust the nameservers or the required DNS records.

If, on the other hand, you also want to handle registration, renewal, and domain management through CURIAWEB in the future, you will need the domain transfer.

Note: A hosting change does not require a domain transfer. Decide separately where your domain is registered, where its DNS zone is managed, and where your website and email should be hosted.

Summary #

A domain registered with Cyon can be used with CURIAWEB hosting without necessarily having to be transferred.

For a nameserver change, according to the current Cyon instructions, you open in my.cyon → All products the product in question and select in the area Overview Domain → Change nameserver. There you can ns1.curiaweb.ch and ns2.curiaweb.ch store.

If the domain is to be completely transferred to CURIAWEB, it will be hosted at Cyon via Domain Overview → Cancel Domain terminated at the end of the subscription period. Cyon then displays the required auth code below the termination date.

The transfer should be carried out in a timely manner. Cyon explicitly recommends starting it at least one week before the cancellation date.

With DNSSEC enabled, Cyon recommends disabling it before changing nameservers or transferring, followed by a waiting period of at least four hours.

Nevertheless, domain transfer, website migration, email migration, and DNS reconfiguration remain distinct processes. During a complete transition, they should be carefully coordinated with one another.