[NTLUG:Discuss] "Web site temporarily offline"

[David Simmons]

> I have my main web stuff on a VM and occasionally, I like to run
backups
> of the VM but it takes at least 20 minutes.  During that
down time, I
> would like to have another machine detect when the
server is down and
> assume the server's IP address so that it can
say "Web site down for
> maintenance.  Be back soon!"
> 
> I imagine running a small VM that would run whatever
processes needed.
> 
> Anyone know any magic tricks to
accomplish this?

Welp....if you had a small 'other' hosting
area...(maybe you got some with your DSL package?  maybe you can get
some free Google / Yahoo area....just enough to create your 'We're Down -
Be Back Soon' page.   Then, before your backup script - change
DNS to point to this new area (remember to reload/restart your DNS server)
- do your backup - then change DNS back?

Albeit, not real magic
- and you're up against the TTL (time to live) that might be an hour - so
it might not really work as you'd like (although, I've seen the main DNS
server's change very quickly) - it's an idea.

-dave