Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : Website redundancy

[Lirath]

If I have a site on a dedicated server at point A with nameservers ns1.mydomain.com and ns2.mydomain.com

and then I have the *same* site on a dedicated server at point B with nameservers ns3.mydomain.com and ns4.mydomain.com...

Then you set the domain's name servers to ns1.mydomain.com though ns4.mydomain.com..


If the first server went offline (ns1 and ns2) would it *automatically instantly* resolve to the second server with ns3 and ns4?

[UH-Matt]

I think it uses the fastest ns to respond, so even when server 1 is ok it might load the site from server 2. It doesnt check nameservers in order.

[Lirath]

well..... that's fine..

but if one of them is down, will it go to the other? I'm saying, will it give your website redundancy?

I need to make it so my servers go down my website is still up so my clients will still be able to see it..

[UH-Matt]

theoretically yes it should because if a server is down then the other servers NS will respond faster... all theory from me though - you would have to try it

[Lirath]

Theory?

You mean this isn't common practice?... I figured anyone who wanted their website to be up 24/7 would have this..

[Lirath]

Also.. what would be the easiest way to keep the websites the same?

Like.. keeping each website up to date on sql databases and other minor changes?

[UH-Matt]

Originally posted by Lirath
Theory?

You mean this isn't common practice?... I figured anyone who wanted their website to be up 24/7 would have this..

Anyone who wants there site up 24/7 uses reliable hosting

[ideafusion]

I'm sorry but it doesn't work that way, I tried and ended up having sites flip flopping between the two servers.

what happens is all ns1, ns2, ns3, ns4 have the same value then they are all tested the fastest one is used and counters are set on the others which count down until they hit 0 then all are tested again. If you have two servers that are up then it could bounce ns1, ns4, etc and if they are different servers then you end up spreading your email over two boxes and in the case of webmail it gets very messy as if a client logs into one server he won't see the email on the other server and vice versa.

If your goal is just to have the website (static that doesn't update often) redundant then it would work. But a dynamic site such as a forum, or a site you use email this can cause havoc. I learned this the hard way and for 24-48 hours watched helplessly as it bounced back and forth.

I hope this helps someone for some really good info http://www.acmebw.com/askmrdns/ is a great link.

[cldickerson]

I realize that I'm replying to a very old post but I thought my response may benefit other users. There is a company that provides a solution to the website redundancy issue. It is at WebsiteRedundancy.Com.

[mjdawnson]

Many hosting providers offer this service but do not advertise it to the general public.

Digitalinet has a facility in Cali & Va I believe. They sent me an email about offering it for static websites that are mission critial etc. (www.digitalinet.com)

I am sure you can find a few other companies that have redundant solutions. But most will charge you an arm & a leg to cover the overhead of 2 facilities.