redundant servers

[lyontl]

Is there a way to setup servers in the same way that you setup raid 1 mirroring? I would like to have two servers with exactly the same data, this way if one goes down, I can rollover to the other without any downtime(or whatever time it would take to switch over to the other server).

 

[58sniper]

You're going to want to look at clustering. Clusting allows you do this, but is very expensive. Most Exchange admins shy away from it because of the cost and complexity. If you have new hardware, many of the components of the hardware are redundant, reducing the possibility of unplanned downtime. Thus, clustering basically gives you protection against a failed motherboard. For more info, see

Planning for Exchange Clustering

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...155-7908-4d44-a609-48199919f188.mspx?mfr=true

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[ScottCr]

What are the servers doing? Are they just file Servers? Database?

http://scottcross.blogspot.com

Windows and NT Admin.

 

[58sniper]

Whoops - my mistake on that URL. I was thinking Exchange.

Clustering Services

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/clustering/default.mspx

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[lyontl]

The server is just a file/app server with one very important app. The cost is not as important as limiting downtime. It would be ok to have a $3-5k server sitting and never get used. It's $3-5k woth of insurance that this company is willing to purchase...

 

[58sniper]

You're going to pay more than that for clustering. A lot more. And the administration of it is going to consume far more administrative time.

But it should do what you ask.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[lyontl]

What is the cost?

 

[58sniper]

It's usually hardware dependant. Check with your hardware vendor, as you'll need the two new identical servers, the shared array, and all their support and help with the installation. It ain't cheap. I can't recall what we paid the last time I did a cluster (it's been a few years), but it's not uncommon for a cluster to start in the 20k range.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[hbdude]

You may want to look into some software called Neverfail. It has worked great for me

 

[PScottC]

Also look at NSI's DoubleTake and EMC's AutoStart (formerly Legato CoStandby Server). Both applications allow you to mirror data between two systems even if the hardware is dissimilar.

PSC

Governments and corporations need people like you and me. We are samurai. The keyboard cowboys. And all those other people out there who have no idea what's going on are the cattle. Mooo! --Mr. The Plague, from the movie "Hackers