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Go-Live Guide

Generic Go-Live Guide for Peakhour CDN#

Initial Setup and Configuration of a Staging Domain#

1. Sign Up and Domain Configuration#

Enter your domain name and email address to initiate the setup. Peakhour will scan your website's DNS to detect the origin IP. Confirm that your website's origin IP is correct.

2. SSL Setup#

SSL requests will initially pass directly to your origin server. After pointing your website to Peakhour, a LetsEncrypt certificate will automatically install, or you can upload your own SSL certificate.

3. Point Your Staging Domain to Peakhour#

Prepare to point your domain to Peakhour. Once DNS propagation completes, Peakhour will optimise and secure your site.

4. Server Configuration (Optional)#

  • Preserve visitor IP addresses in your server access logs.
  • Allow Peakhour IP addresses.
  • Install the Peakhour plugin for popular CMS and shopfronts.

5. Notify Peakhour#

  • Notify Peakhour of the site architecture, as applicable.

Production Pre-Go-Live Considerations#

1. Verify Current Setup#

Ensure that all initial setup steps are complete and correct.

2. SSL Certificate Management#

If using a third-party SSL certificate, upload it via the Peakhour client panel. Otherwise, Peakhour will handle the LetsEncrypt certificate installation.

3. Origin Server Details#

Confirm the client’s origin server details in the Peakhour client panel.

4. Service Configuration#

Transfer all necessary configurations from the staging environment to the production environment.

5. Ensure Accessibility#

Confirm that Peakhour can access the origin server, and you have allow-listed it with no rate limits.

6. IP Address Whitelisting#

Whitelist all required IP addresses with the client’s hosting services.

7. Gather Usage Data#

Obtain information on expected site traffic and the platforms that visitors use.

Testing on Staging Site#

  1. Set Up Staging Environment: Create a replica of your production site to test the CDN.
  2. Configure CDN: Ensure that the CDN settings on the staging site match what you will use in production.
  3. Test Functionality: Check all site functions, including order flow, client login, landing pages etc.

Preparing for Go-Live#

1. Access Control#

After go-live, consider denying traffic that does not come through the CDN on the Origin.

2. Final Checks#

The client should perform a final set of checks to confirm site functionality.

Go-Live Execution#

  1. Coordinate Go-Live Time: Ensure engineers from both the client side and Peakhour are present.
  2. Update DNS Records: Point the root and subdomains to Peakhour with a short TTL.
  3. Monitor Transition: Closely watch the traffic transition and perform any user acceptance testing.
  4. Rollback Plan: Have a plan to revert DNS settings back if critical issues arise.

Post-Deployment#

1. CDN Provider Responsibilities#

  • Monitor for any security false positives during the initial Go-Live monitoring window..
  • Check for origin errors.
  • Monitor performance.

2. Client Responsibilities#

  • Monitor key performance indicators.
  • Ensure all system integrations are functioning.

3. Future Enhancements#

Collaborate on ongoing enhancements based on site usage patterns and goals.

Summary#

This comprehensive guide integrates the initial setup and configuration steps with the pre-go-live, testing, go-live execution, and post-deployment phases for transitioning to Peakhour CDN. It ensures performance enhancements, robust security, and a plan for ongoing optimisation and collaboration. Peakhour’s CDN services.