Use LGWR or ARCH for standby db

Hello world,

I'm trying to figure out which would be the best method to use. I'm working on 9.2 (W2K) and have 2 identical machines connected over network. The network connection has proven not to be reliable in the sense that (out of my control) s.o. plugs out the network or shuts down the standby machine etc.

I started with classical standby db using the archiver to send the archived logs to the standby machine (8i style feature).

My reqeuirement is to have the primary server up and running 7x24. Network breakdown to the standby must not inhibit the primary db. That means: "SYNC" must not be used.

Do I have any advantage of using LGWR ASYNC over ARCH? AFAIK I can specify the max number of blocks after which LGWR sends an update to the standby. I could however as well have a script forcing log switches regularly on the primary machine. How does the LGWR mechanism behave in case of longer network breaks, say so long that all log groups are reused in the meantime? Does it then send archived logs over to the standby in order to keep it up to date when network is back again?

What are your experiences with using LGWR?

Thanks,
Carsten.

---
I want to die peacefully in sleep like my grandfather.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers!