How to setup a backup server for SQL Server2005 for production (in case the primary server fails

I currently have a SQL Server cluster setup with a Primary DB Server SERVER1 and the Standby server SERVER2. SERVER1 has been failing more than normal is the past few weeks and its takes upto 5 mins for SERVER2 realize that SERVER1 is down. I am looking for a better way to implement a backup server on production with minimum downtime. Please adivse..

you have two options one is Database mirroring and other is log shipping in sql 2005..........but i advise you to go with db mirroring as the downtime is less in high availability mode as you have a witness server and hence the failover will be automatic and within few seconds............but in log shipping only manual failover is possible........refer,

http://dumthata.com/sqlchn/articles/dbmrr.htm

http://dumthata.com/sqlchn/articles/lship.htm

Going forward pls post in the appropriate forum as it would be easier to read through and answer....