Question : Make a failover exchange 2007 server

Dear All,

I would like to setup a secondary exchange server in order to use it as a failover. It is not going to be HA or load balanced. The second server will be offline all the time when primary one is working. If something happens to the primary one, the we will enable the second server online.

The way that we want to do sync two computers (from primary to secondary), we want to place a cross-over cable to the second nic of each computer and establish a local connection between them. And then setup some sort of scheduled copy work from primary to secondary server every hour. Therefore we will have latest database and email account setttings (at least 1 hour prior to the incident).

My question is; has anybody done something like this ? Is it doable ? Or if there is any other way of doing it, would you please enlighten us ?

Any information is useful.

Thank you and Best Regards.

Answer : Make a failover exchange 2007 server

Cluster the servers for a proper solution.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124521(EXCHG.80).aspx
http://www.simple-talk.com/sysadmin/exchange/exchange-2007-mailbox-server-clustering/

This keeps the second machine up-to-date at all times and allows you to auto-failover.
Having a second box with data snap-shots on it still means a lot of work if the primary exchagne server dies.
All your users AD info will have to be changed to the second server. (not ideal)