Backup Server?

[piwadmin]

I recently took over administering a small network; I have minimal 2000 skills but a sound understanding of network concepts and principles. We have 2 servers, one online and one offline with about 40 users. What is the best way of ensuring server2 is a replica of server1? As is stands now if server1 went down I would remove the CAT5 cable from the router on server1 and insert it into server2. I would like to ensure server2 is setup exactly like server1 and use my backups to keep it updated. I did not set the system up and server2 is not current. Should I add server2 to the domain or leave it offline? Thanks for the assistance.

 

[victorv]

Hi,

I belive you have only 2 choiches :

1) implement MSCS: in this case you can have server2
on line, with another name and address. At failover
server2 becomes also server1.

2) in other case, server2 must have the same name and
address of server1 (cloned), and then is better if
it is wired to hub-switch, but switched off.
( the operator that back-up server1 has to:
a) detach srv2 from net
b) restore image (not only doc files)
c) shutdown
d) wire to hub

In this mode, also if you ar not in company, is
sufficent turn-off server1 and fire srv2.

b y e.

 

[piwadmin]

The servers are RAID-5, can I clone server2?