User's Guide

server to your secondary server so that the two servers have the same configuration. Configuration
settings from the primary server will override any configuration settings on the secondary server.
How Synchronization Works
• Synchronization will not work if there is no backup file or if there is a backup in progress.
• On the standby server, during either scheduled or on-demand synchronization, the standby server
pulls the current backup from /usr/local/smx/backups on the primary server.
• NEVER schedule a synchronization or perform an on-demand synchronization at the same time a
backup is occurring on the primary server.
• NEVER start an on-demand backup while synchronizing servers.
• The backup file is copied to /usr/local/smx/backups on the standby machine which brings up
two important points:
◦ NEVER schedule a local, remote or on-demand backup on the standby machine. If you do, it will
overwrite the file transferred over from the primary server.
◦ NEVER direct a backup from the primary server to /usr/local/smx/backups on a standby
server. This will prevent synchronization from working properly.
• NEVER back up to the desktop from the standby server, because that process overwrites the
existing file in /usr/local/smx/backups.
• As the second part of synchronization, the standby server runs a restore to itself using the file found
in its own /usr/local/smx/backups directory. This should be the only file ever copied over
from the primary server.
Synchronization Rules
• You should only back up the primary server. NEVER schedule or perform a backup on the standby
server.
• Synchronization should only be done from the standby server. NEVER schedule or perform a
synchronization on the primary server.
• Always schedule or perform a backup on the primary server one hour before scheduling a
synchronization or performing an on-demand synchronization on the standby server. Backups
require more time as the primary server continues collecting configuration data.
• NEVER schedule backups at the same time as a synchronization. This will NEVER work.
• Scheduled jobs should be included when backing up an appliance before synchronization. This will
save you valuable time when restoring the backup on a new appliance. Unless you have backed up
your scheduled jobs, you will have to recreate them on the new appliance.
Manual Synchronization
Follow these steps to manually synchronize your primary and secondary ADSP appliances:
1. On the secondary server, select the Designate this as a Secondary (redundant) appliance
checkbox. The synchronization options activate.
2. Enter the IP address or DNS name of the primary server you want to synchronize with in the
Address field.
Note
If using a DNS name, it must be defined by your DNS server.
Configuration Redundant Appliance Sync
Extreme AirDefense User Guide for version 10.5. 139