Can’t find out who the host is…

[snillor]

I’m finding it frustrating to determine who is hosting a site for a client. (It was sporadically up and down a few weeks ago. And the client now wants to consolidate all her sites with one company for both hosting and domain name registration.)

The site is sbergthold.com. I didn’t create it; it was put together as part of a package deal by the folks who published one of the client’s books.

I’ve done a number of WHOHOSTS look-ups, using different services. Most of these say that GoDaddy is hosting the site. GoDaddy says they are not. (There is some indication that GoDaddy may have been the original hosting partner chosen by the book publishing folks – they told me that Godaddy is ”no longer” hosting the site.)

Some look-ups suggest it’s Synapse Global, but they deny it.

Other look-ups imply that Network Solutions is hosting the site, but they deny it.

I’ve tried PINGING and a TraceRoute, but these time out before giving me any helpful info.

So how can I find out who is currently hosting the site if WHOHOSTS look-ups provide different info, none of which appears to be correct?

Thanks

[standuncan]

Well if I had to take a guess, I would say Network Solutions because, that domain in the name server (worldnic.com) is registered to Network Solutions, and that domain is hosted on (netsol.com) which is registered by Network Solutions also?

[chrisburton]

Couldn’t they be using a separate host for their domain, pointing the nameservers to the hosting company that hosts the actual content files?

[snillor]

I appreciate the responses.

cnwtx: yeah, I’ve done numerous WHOIS lookups

standuncan: That was my first thought too, but I contacted Network Solutions and they say they don’t host it.

ChristopherBurton: I’ve been told that indeed nameservers pointing to different host servers are involved, but nobody can or will help locate those host servers.

I’ve even contacted some hosting companies saying I was interested in consolidating 3 site’s hosting & domain name registration with them, and asking for their help pinpointing the current host for one of the sites. I hoped that if they saw potential sales, they’d be more willing/able to help. No luck yet.

[TheDoc]

Sorry, and the client has no idea where their sites are hosted or have access to any control panels?

[snillor]

Doc:

No, the client knows nothing about the hosting arrangements because this site was set up by a third party as part of a package deal to publish a book for her. To her knowledge, she has never been billed for hosting.

[TheDoc]

So she has no access to it at all? FTP? Anything? Can you not contact that other company?

It looks like the publishing company is using these guys: http://www.activeserverhosting.com/ – maybe try them?

[snillor]

Doc:

No, she has no access. I did contact the company (Dog Ear Publishing) that set everything up – they’re the ones who noted that the site is no longer hosted by GoDaddy. But they couldn’t tell me anything beyond that.

I’ll check with http://www.activeserverhosting.com/. Thanks for that. Where did you come up with it?

[TheDoc]

I did a whois/whohosts on the publishing company.

[snillor]

Doc:

Thanks for the source of the info. Geesh – I should have been able to figure that one out for myself.

Anyone else have any ideas?

[standuncan]

If the publisher themselves does not know who is hosting, they must know someone who does. After all they are selling that as part of a service they offer, so if they aren’t in charge they must use an outsourced web agency who controls that hosting portion for them, I would think. I would tell them if you don’t know, put me in touch with who would.

[snillor]

standuncan:

Thanks. I’ve already talked with the original publisher and didn’t get the answer. But you’re right – it’s probably worth contacting them again.

[standuncan]

Wouldn’t hurt anyhow, maybe you’ll get another rep who is more knowledgeable or more willing to help?

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