Load Balancing \ Failover

[Bobino]

Hi
I'm in the process of deciding a hoster for a Website and corporate database, I was about to order two Serverbeach machines when I noticed the post about Windows Load Balancing option being unavailable.
I was planning to take two machine and install the website and MySQL database on each. Then I would to replicate the database to keep the second server as a mirror of the first.
Then in the case of a failure I could switch to the failover second machine all good.
But my propblem is that most of my corporate clients will be accessing the database directly using a MyODBC connection from Microsoft Access to generate reports and queries. I then have the issue of having distinct IP addresses on the two databases.
This all lead me to the load balancing option which now seems lost to me.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Bobino

[inCharge.co.uk]

Bobino

You can request an additional IP address and give that to your clients. Then in the event of failure you can request that the IP is switched to the other server. However this process is not completely automated. I think you submit a free support ticket. Last estimate I saw said it can take up to 24 hours.

I can recommend ServerBeach as a host - what you get for the money is excellent and if you know your way around a Windows machine it's ideal because you're not paying for support you don't need.

I've been hasseling them to improve IP address portability for a while but I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon.

Cheers
Julian

[RickH]

What about a dynamic dns service like dyndns.org.
You setup an address like myserver@dyndns.org.
You use a client tool to keep the dynamic address updated (expires in 35 days if not touched.)
When you run into problem you go into the control panel at dyndns and change the ip to the backup machine.
All new queries will pick up the new machine.
This service does not take two to three days to propogate like your dns would.
(To test this, you will need to close all windows then requery the host to see the change. Leaving IE open or a command prompt will not reload dns.)