I would like to implement something to help out when a server is offline for whatever reason. For example.

I got my own DNS servers and webservers. I would like it if the users goes to www.somedomain.com and the server it is actually on is down for maint. or for what ever not able to respond. What can be done so that if the server isnt able to be contacted that it can point to either a another server or the dns somehow can display a page stating who to contact to report a problem or to let them know its down for maint. and can goto a site to check the status or what ever. thanks in advance.

I'm not sure if I understand your question, but I think you can write a shell script to dump your website and filter the content, something link this:

You could also use curl

Thanks for the reponses guys. I will check those out. So it is possible. Cool Thanks.

If you don't understand how to get curl to do what you need, you can definitely do as guanta said and use lynx --dump. Might be easier for you.

Josh

Okay. I will have to research lynx and see how it works.

I am not sure I understand what the other responses are suggesting. I read your post as you are looking for a form of failover server, one that will detect the loss of the primary and take over the operation, at least partially. Take a look as this link to see if it is along the lines of your thinking. If so, it may have some workable suggestions.

That is way I would like this. But another is if say the internet connection here fails and the dns points here and the server or servers are down, it displays a simple page with a logo on it and then a message displaying that it is down or under maint.