DNS and "site is offline" messages

The scenario is this: suppose there is a web server that for whatever reason has stopped working. Is it possible for me to use DNS to have another server r开发者_StackOverflow中文版espond with a webpage with a message similar to "site is offline?" Thanks in advance for all of your help!

Yes. You simply need to get the second server up and running, and then change the DNS entries to point to the new A record for the new server. (Or AAAA record if you have IPv6 for it as well).