DNS and backup server question

[crazyleg]

Hey guys... I'm not exactly sure how to phrase this question properly. But I will try my best.

I admin my own windows2003 server... I only learn as I go... so I am not a techie-guru.

I have a server in an office running a few websites... I don't have any backup server or secondary server...

What I want to do is... setup a box at home... on a static IP... I won't have alot of bandwidth at home... but I don't need alot...

When/IF the first server is down for whatever reason... I want the server at home to respond... basically just... "We are currently working on our servers..." or something like that...

My dilema/question... In the past... when I setup servers with DNS1 and DNS2... It seemed like... whatever was the best route for the Internet user to get to it... it chose... be it the #1 server or #2 server... So the server/box had to be mirrored for this to work... as well as equal bandwidth pipes for both servers.

HOW DO I... set it up to where... the 2nd server at Home will only be accessed by the outside world when the #1 server is just completely DOWN?

PLEASE HELP!

thanks everyone

[DaveAtIFG]

I think the "SiteBacker" service offered by UltraDNS may meet your needs.

[crazyleg]

.bump.

[upside]

Most DNS providers call the service you require "failover". It works by periodically monitoring a URL for a given text. If that text is not found or an error is encountered, then it switches the A records from primary to backup. When the monitoring finds the text again without error then the process is reversed.

In order to use a failover service effectively I recommend that you use at least 4 nameservers and a very short TTL such as 300.

BTW, just about any DNS provider is better than UltraDNS!