MS SQL Server 2005 - Mirroring or synchronizing two identical databases?

Question

Data synchronization

The challenge is to have a backup full copy of the main base. So that if the Primary server is unavailable, the application switches (it is not difficult to write the code in the application) to the Backup server and users continue to work as if nothing had happened.
And when the Main rises, then make it already a backup and so that it is synchronized with the Main, i.e. they switch roles.
DBMS MS SQL Server 2005 SP4. It has a mirroring feature. We were able to set up with grief in half. Writes that mirroring is configured and active - but:
1. data from the main server does not flow to the backup. generally.
2. if you bring down the main one and run a command to activate the backup, then nonsense also happens. it does not rise and writes that nothing works.
Set up according to the documentation on MSDN. The points.
Who can advise on mirroring?
We think about alternative solutions to the problem. How did you solve such a problem? Can eat what software products, over a DBMS, or scripts?

Answer 1

Just recently I set up transactional replication between 2008 Standard and 2008 Express. At what stage are you stuck? I did it through the wizard built into management studio, there were no particular problems.