SBS 2003 file server mirroring
What would you guys recommend as the best solution for SBS server mirroring (or at least the best way of getting a replacement server online quickly when the main server has failed)?
I already have various forms of redundancy in place such as disk mirroring, and the system is fully backed up each night, but if the server was stolen I want a way of getting another on-line as quickly as possible without having to go around doing much (if any) configuring of the server or desktops.
I am prepared to have a second server permanently online (in a different location in the building). Is there third party mirroring software around?
I assume I cannot do this wilth a second installation of SBS? Even if it were fully configured as a server with users etc. if it were to be brought online after the failure of the first server I think I would have to get all the workstations to 'join' its domain as they would see it as a different server even if I used the same domain name (due to security IDs)??
Any suggestions? Have any of you guys done this in practise?
I already have various forms of redundancy in place such as disk mirroring, and the system is fully backed up each night, but if the server was stolen I want a way of getting another on-line as quickly as possible without having to go around doing much (if any) configuring of the server or desktops.
I am prepared to have a second server permanently online (in a different location in the building). Is there third party mirroring software around?
I assume I cannot do this wilth a second installation of SBS? Even if it were fully configured as a server with users etc. if it were to be brought online after the failure of the first server I think I would have to get all the workstations to 'join' its domain as they would see it as a different server even if I used the same domain name (due to security IDs)??
Any suggestions? Have any of you guys done this in practise?
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Thanks for your comments, Jeff. You have given me plenty of stuff to think about.
The theft issue was really just an example, for simplicity. The idea is to cover against ANY eventuality which might cause the server to stop functioning in a way which couldn't be rectified quickly.
I hadn't considered the Virtual Machine option. I will need to look at performance issues because if it were to have a significant hit on performance for the main server prior to failure (rather than the replacement server) then I am going to meet resistance!! But, that aside, like you say, it may be the best option.
Thanks again.
Regards
Chris
The theft issue was really just an example, for simplicity. The idea is to cover against ANY eventuality which might cause the server to stop functioning in a way which couldn't be rectified quickly.
I hadn't considered the Virtual Machine option. I will need to look at performance issues because if it were to have a significant hit on performance for the main server prior to failure (rather than the replacement server) then I am going to meet resistance!! But, that aside, like you say, it may be the best option.
Thanks again.
Regards
Chris
Actually I forgot that they did an entire SBS Show on Disaster Recovery:
http://www.vladville.com/sbsshow/2005/11/sbs-show-episode-4-recovering-sbs-in.html
And if you want a truly comprehensive "everything that can go wrong" guide, check out this one that the California Society of CPA's prepared: http://sbsurl.com/disasterguide
Jeff
TechSoEasy
http://www.vladville.com/sbsshow/2005/11/sbs-show-episode-4-recovering-sbs-in.html
And if you want a truly comprehensive "everything that can go wrong" guide, check out this one that the California Society of CPA's prepared: http://sbsurl.com/disasterguide
Jeff
TechSoEasy
ASKER
At first glance it looks like the Small Business bundle is a bundle of server and desktop licences, rather than anything specifically to do with SBS, but it may do the job - I'll have a look at it in detail.
Chris