• Just for the record, we're in a SQL 2008 forum but we're talking about SQL 2012.

    AlwaysOn requires an Active Directory (AD) domain. If you want to avoid AD and Windows Clusters (also required for AlwaysOn) then look into log shipping (or mirroring if you do not mind that it has been deprecated). Personally I would not look at replication for disaster recovery.

    If you "need sql server up and running nomatter what happens" then AD and Windows Clustering are in your future, use AlwaysOn.

    There are no special teachers of virtue, because virtue is taught by the whole community.
    --Plato