Multiple Backup Servers

[Tom Haskell]

Hi Nixu,
I have deployed the 2X ApplicationServer and it is working perfectly.
I have added a backup server(secondary server). So, when the primary server is down(seldom though), backup server kicks in.
But I have two questions.
1. I can add as many backup servers as possible, but how come there are only Primary server and Secondary server box in the 2X ApplicationServerClient side?
If I add, lets say, 4 backup servers in the backup server farm, how will these backup servers get kick in?

2. Can I use a 2X Terminal Server as a backup server too? If it is ok to use in this way, I will have an extra server available to loadbalance.

Any suggestions would be appreciated much.

Tom

 

[nixu]

Hi Tom,

1. I can add as many backup servers as possible, but how come there are only Primary server and Secondary server box in the 2X ApplicationServerClient side?
If I add, lets say, 4 backup servers in the backup server farm, how will these backup servers get kick in?

As you might already know App server is made out of 3 main components:
1) 2X Pub Agent
2) 2X Gateway
3) TS Agent

When creating backup servers, basically you are creating backup 2X Pub Agents.

The 2X Gateways need to know where these 2X Pub Agents are located ( 2X Console -> Conn sett -> 2xClientGW -> Advanced -> 2x Pub Agents). This settings is updated automatically if the GW and the 2X Pub Agent are installed on the same machine.

One could have 10 GW but only 1 2X Pub Agent would be alive at one instance, when the Master 2X Pub Agent dies the next one will take over.

Now the Client needs to connect to a Gateway. From the Client UI one can enter only 2 entries, but if you have more then 2 gateways, you can set up a DNS entry (Host Name) pointing to 2 to more ips.

One thing about using DNS with more than 1 ip; the client by default choses one random ip from this dns entry to connect with. So if you have 10 clients, there is a probability that 1/2 the clients connect to one GW and the other 1/2 to the other GW. BUT although they are connecting to different GW, they are still using the Master 2X Pub Agent (If this is death, they make use of the backup server).

2. Can I use a 2X Terminal Server as a backup server too? If it is ok to use in this way, I will have an extra server available to loadbalance.

This is a simple answer... YES

Hope i did not confuse you with the first Answer.

Regards,

Nixu

 

[Tom Haskell]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome....
I digested everything...Thank you very much. There's not a single line that I got confused into. Thank you very much for your wonderful and clear explanation.
But, But...can I ask you two more questions...
1. What is the system requirement for 2X Client Gateway to be installed. Is it as my guess, Win server 2003 or Win Server 2000 with Advanced option enabled??

2. Can I upgrade my Slave Server to Master server without an internet connection? If not, is there a workaround?
Best Regards,
Tom

 

[nixu]

Hey..

1. What is the system requirement for 2X Client Gateway to be installed. Is it as my guess, Win server 2003 or Win Server 2000 with Advanced option enabled??

2X Client gateway can be installed on a Win XP , Win 2000 or Win 2003, Vista or Win 2008 ..

2. Can I upgrade my Slave Server to Master server without an Internet connection? If not, is there a workaround?

:

The Slave Server will kick in when the Master Server dies, and from the console you should be able to see that it is acting as a master. So you do not need to upgrade the Slave Server to Master server for users to be able to work, BUT you cannot modify any settings..

Unfortunately, you cannot promote a backup server to master, off-line, But if you ever get in this situation please contact Support.

nixu

 

[Tom Haskell]

Hi Nixu,
Yes please, if without internet, promoting a slave to master can be a possible thing, please post us back..We need you. Cheers.
Tom