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Well, to be frank, even a warm or cold spare server would probably do the job, but still...<br />
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A client of mine has a Win2K3 SBS server that does so much for them. Domain, Email, File Storage, Print Server... currently, we perform tape backup using Veritas with Exchange agent, we have a second domain controller (a Win2K Server box), and I do occasional VMWare converter clones of both servers (although I have never tried to boot them up). Regardless, I bet that we are looking at some serious downtime if the main server has a catastrophic failure of some sort.<br />
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I think my dream solution would be a hot spare server, running identical (or close enough) hardware, that just sits there, mirroring every change on the original server and can step in when needed. the switch over need not be automatic, mind you... <br />
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I am envisioning it as a RAID 1, but of servers, not drives.<br />
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Cost is definitely a factor (as always). But I can make a pretty compelling case to spend a few grand.<br />
<br />
Let me know if I can provide more details. I encourage any and all theoretical posts. 3rd party product suggestions are welcome.<br />
<br />
Thanks and I look forward to your thoughts.
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Well, to be frank, even a warm or cold spare server would probably do the job, but still...

A client of mine has a Win2K3 SBS server that does so much for them. Domain, Email, File Storage, Print Server... currently, we perform tape backup using Veritas with Exchange agent, we have a second domain controller (a Win2K Server box), and I do occasional VMWare converter clones of both servers (although I have never tried to boot them up). Regardless, I bet that we are looking at some serious downtime if the main server has a catastrophic failure of some sort.

I think my dream solution would be a hot spare server, running identical (or close enough) hardware, that just sits there, mirroring every change on the original server and can step in when needed. the switch over need not be automatic, mind you... 

I am envisioning it as a RAID 1, but of servers, not drives.

Cost is definitely a factor (as always). But I can make a pretty compelling case to spend a few grand.

Let me know if I can provide more details. I encourage any and all theoretical posts. 3rd party product suggestions are welcome.

Thanks and I look forward to your thoughts.

Ideas regarding creating a &amp;quot;Hot Spare Server&amp;quot;

Ideas regarding creating a &quot;Hot Spare Server&quot;

Servers are computing devices that are similar to desktop computers in that they have the same basic components, but are significantly different in size, configuration and purpose. Servers are usually accessed over a network, and many run unattended, without a computer monitor, input device, audio hardware or USB interfaces. Many servers do not have a graphical user interface (GUI), and are configured and managed remotely. Servers typically include hardware redundancy such as dual power supplies, RAID disk systems, and ECC memory, along with extensive pre-boot memory testing and verification. Critical components might be hot swappable, and to guard against overheating, servers might have more powerful fans or use water cooling.

Server Hardware

The term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.

Storage Software

Small Business Server (SBS) is a line of server operating systems targeted at small businesses by bundling the operating system with a number of other Microsoft products that would normally need to be purchased or licensed separately. The most notable inclusions are Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint and ISA/TMG (Microsoft's firewall and proxy server).