How to redirect to another server if one goes down

pcs800 · 01-06-2009, 08:22 PM

Hello, I need to set up DNS or whatever it is that does this, to redirect exampleurl.com to a different IP address if the primary is not available. Recently one of my ISP's had a long power outage and my web site, email, message boards were not accessible for over 5 hours.

It would be nice if something detected this and forwarded visitors to another server on a working IP.

Help?

dinsol · 01-07-2009, 05:33 AM

Use the dns server outside your hosting server. You can also purchased managed dns hosting (at low price), if you are not planning to setup a separate dns server for the same.

pcs800 · 01-07-2009, 06:32 AM

The dns server outside my hosting server? I am not sure what you mean. You mean other than the current DNS server?

If I use a service such as easydns.com, i can set up what i want to do from there? How and waht is it called? Like domain forwarding or something like that?

~ServerPoint~ · 01-08-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcs800

Hello, I need to set up DNS or whatever it is that does this, to redirect exampleurl.com to a different IP address if the primary is not available. Recently one of my ISP's had a long power outage and my web site, email, message boards were not accessible for over 5 hours.

It would be nice if something detected this and forwarded visitors to another server on a working IP.

Help?

All redirects have place on the server side of the main web site. I believe that if server is down that action can't be proceed. Also you can add another DNS servers for another web host and in this case that will work without server (main site is hosted on)

pcs800 · 01-08-2009, 06:17 AM

Yes, if the main server is down, it obviously cannot perform any redirects. How do other large companies impliment failover for downed internet connections? I think i have a great setup if i can figure out how to do it.
One server in California and one in Michigan, both on 20meg lines.

dinsol · 01-10-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcs800

The dns server outside my hosting server? I am not sure what you mean. You mean other than the current DNS server?

If I use a service such as easydns.com, i can set up what i want to do from there? How and waht is it called? Like domain forwarding or something like that?

Yes, you can use dns server outside of your main httpd server (usually both are on same machine). You can also use name servers for your domain name of two different machines housed in different data center. But, I do not recommend that because, you never know which one will be used by your site visitor (will depend on their ISP).

I think, large companies use Load Balancing and Round-Robin technique to cope with the same issue. Mirroring data on two different locations could also be a way out.

Thanks,

pcs800 · 01-12-2009, 04:23 PM

Ok, thanks. seems like there should be an easy way to do this.