Is this alternative way to replicate database workable ?

hi,
 I'm investigating Oracle Replication, at the same time, my co-worker came up with this idea to replicate a database by synchronizing essential files of an instance, for examples, control files, redo log files, and data files, to a backup server(where a backup database resides) when the primary server(where a primary database resides) becomes unavaliable.  I just wonder this idea is workable or not. Sounds like a standby database, but with more files copied.
 I also have a question, it seems that I have to create a database manually without Database Assistant's help( create the init.ora and follow the OFA) if I want to replicate a database in this way. But how do I connect/startup/shutdown this instance ?

please help,thank you

Jennifer C. Received on Thu Oct 18 2001 - 21:13:20 CDT