If a system fails, boot another one ?

Combat squirrel

Combat squirrel

Combat squirrel

Soldato
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7 Aug 2004
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As title, im looking at functionality redundancy for no other reason so I can learn more stuff.

So I have my own home server, does all the stuff, runs CCTV as well etc, but say that failed, could I have an entirely separate computer system (I happen to have a bunch of spare parts around at the moment! lol) that will boot up and take over the basic functions of my main server (mainly cctv stuff needs to be running constantly).

If this is possible, how would I do it ?
 
My first thought would be an arduino wired into the powerswitch of the secondary PC, periodically polling the main machine via an ethernet shield. Depends if you want a softwre or hardware solution though.
 
Wow awesome answers, cluster....... interesting, not sure how id integrate that into the systems properly as all the data is on 1, with only core functionality and cctv being required by the back up.

Linkex, ideally just a software solution as it would be easier to maintain and I wouldn't have to buy more hardware? However if the hardware is cheap and designed for this id also consider than for ease of setup.
 
The problem with a software only solution is that even if there was a way to make a PC cold boot with a command from another PC, that command won't get issued if a PC goes down.

The other alternative is to set up the secondary machine with all the software/services to function as the primary PC, but leave everything idle. Then a simple script to monitor the primary Pc, and fire up the applications if it is down. The downside is you've got 2 pcs running 24x7.
 
Linkex said:
The problem with a software only solution is that even if there was a way to make a PC cold boot with a command from another PC, that command won't get issued if a PC goes down.

The other alternative is to set up the secondary machine with all the software/services to function as the primary PC, but leave everything idle. Then a simple script to monitor the primary Pc, and fire up the applications if it is down. The downside is you've got 2 pcs running 24x7.
Click to expand...

Indeed, I thought this would be the easiest way around it and started to consider uber low power PC with a 2100T Sandy at 2ghz undervolted with a 2v SSD only and nothing else :eek:

If I could get it under 30 watt id live with that - I just need the main pc ....or should I say super low power pc to pole the main pc as you mention and if it gets no reply, then fire up the CCTV stuff.

How would I write a script to do this ?

EDIT: if all its running is a VB script surely I could get it to power on at under 18 watts or so, until the cctv starts then of course it doesnt matter what it pulls.

I do have an AMD 18watt system but its just not powerful enough for 8 cctv ip cams.
 
For scripting, I can't recommend autohotkey highly enough. Very powerful, and really simple language.

Heres a really 'out there' alternative option. First, grab one of these - http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/14278...tml?_$ja=tsid:11518|cat:14278964|prd:14278964. The way this works is that you connect it to a PCs USB port. When that Pc is turned off, and the USB ports are not getting power, the powerstrip turns itself off.

What you could do is, power your main PC through this strip, and have the USB connection plugged into the second PC. The second PCs script spots a problem, it reboots the secondary system. This should be enough to disable the power to the first PC for a second, causing it to hard reboot. This will assume that the second PC stops powering USB ports for a second during reboot, and that your main PC will come back up once power is restored.
 
Linkex said:
For scripting, I can't recommend autohotkey highly enough. Very powerful, and really simple language.

Heres a really 'out there' alternative option. First, grab one of these - http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/14278...tml?_$ja=tsid:11518|cat:14278964|prd:14278964. The way this works is that you connect it to a PCs USB port. When that Pc is turned off, and the USB ports are not getting power, the powerstrip turns itself off.

What you could do is, power your main PC through this strip, and have the USB connection plugged into the second PC. The second PCs script spots a problem, it reboots the secondary system. This should be enough to disable the power to the first PC for a second, causing it to hard reboot. This will assume that the second PC stops powering USB ports for a second during reboot, and that your main PC will come back up once power is restored.
Click to expand...

Darn its more complicated than I thought ! lol, I'm surprised there is not something available for it, I can't be the only person on the planet that wants to do this :confused:
 
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