Exchange Temporary Failover

[EnemyAce]

Wonder if someone out there might have the answer to this scenario.

We have a single Exchange 2003 Server in our organization with about 40 users and an approximately 12G IStore database. I'm backing up the machine daily and doing transactional backups, and am confident that I can bring the server back in an emergency.

The problem is that depending on the severity of the issue, it could take several hours to get the mail server back on it's feet. The powers that be would like to be able to keep their mail flowing instantaneously if we do lose our server. They understand that their mailboxes would be empty until restored.

How do I go about doing this? Do I setup a standby Exchange Server? All user accounts are tied into Active Directory, is there a way to point them quickly and temporarily to another server until the original IStore is restored?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Dave

 

[NortonES2]

Clustering would provide this, though you will need Exchange Enterprise.

-------------------------------

If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[EnemyAce]

Can't afford to Cluster. Someone recommended using a second Exchange 2003 server as a Recovery Storage Group Server. Configuring the original with a 'stub' database to keep users working, then restoring the backup to the recovery server and ExMerging the mailboxes into the 'stub' later.

Sounds interesting although I don't know anyone who's had any experience doing this. What exactly is a 'stub' database and how would I quickly configure one if my database was lost/corrupted?

Dave