High availability using 2x cisco routers?

[RichardParry]

We currently have a 5509 Catalyst running with multiple VLAN's, trunked via FE to a Cisco 3620 that handles InterVLAN routing and WAN connectivity without any problems. However, recently the 3620 went down which meant a loss of both internet connectivity and VLAN's weren't able to talk to each other internally. The current 3620 has a NM-2FE, one FE connects to the 5509 and the other connects to our WAN provider. There is currently both WIC slots free and a free NM slot.

Would it be possible to run a pair of 3620's running in High Availability mode (perhaps with HSRP), so if the primary/active router were to fail, the secondary would kick in? And would it be possible to only make configuration changes on the primary that get propogated automatically to the secondary router?

Thanx !

 

[lgarner]

Yes, but config changes must be made on both.

 

[RichardParry]

That's a shame, I was hoping it would work similar to a PIX or other failover device (we have a pair of Sup3's in our 5509) that you only make the amends on the primary device, which are automatically copied over to the secondary/failover device.... I guess having to replicate the configuration on both routers would be a nightmare, I frequently add new sub interfaces (for the InterVLAN routing) and other usual amends, there would be too much room for error if I have to ensure both routers have the same config on each one, what would be the alternative to running a pair of 3620's to gain the redundancy I require? I would go with something like a 7206 as they are relatively cheap and within budget, but the only redundancy on those is the dual PSU option, the NPE, IO or PA modules would still be prone to failure so I would have to otherwise keep cold-spares Any ideas?

 

[RichardParry]

I have been speaking to a few more entry-level cisco engineer's and they are unsure why I should even have a hot-spare router....!?! I could just keep spares, but I would need to stock everything that may fail and it would be quicker to pickup another router as a cold-spare. But still, it then means I have to backup my router configuration everytime I make a change to ensure that when I put the cold-spare into action as a replacement I have an up to date configuration.

Any more ideas how I can make a High Availability router setup?