Configuring the mirror database and redundant server

The Mirror Database monitors the communication between itself and the Primary Server. The Mirror Database is a real-time copy of the system database and Windows system registry entries, except the Oracle/MS-SQL card database.

Synchronization between the system database and the Mirror Database can be configured to be synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous mirroring synchronizes the mirrored database in real time. Asynchronous mirroring synchronizes the mirrored database at user defined intervals (5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 2 hours and 4 hours). Asynchronous mirroring can improve the performance of the system by reducing the number of server transactions.

Note: Asynchronous mirroring is only available for Archive, In/out and Video events. Synchronous mirroring is used for all other data.

When communication between the Mirror Database and the Primary Server fails, the Mirror Database automatically initiates the delay after which the Redundant Server is automatically started to replace the Primary Server. The Mirror Database and Redundant Server program cannot run on the same computer as the EntraPass software server. The Mirror Database and Redundant Server should be installed on a dedicated computer.

Note: You can operate the system with more than one Mirror Database and Redundant Server. The Mirror Database and Redundant Server feature requires an additional license.

To configure the Mirror database and Redundant Server workstation, you must define:

  • General parameters applicable to the Mirror Database and Redundant Server, including security parameters.
  • Redundant Server parameters.
  • Security parameters.
  1. From the Application drop-down list, select the Mirror Database and Redundant Server application.
  2. To define parameters in the General tab, see Defining General Parameters.
  3. Select the Parameters tab to define security parameters for the Mirror Database and Redundant Server. For details, see Defining Parameters
  4. Move to the Redundant Server tab to define communication parameters for the Mirror Database and Redundant Server.
  5. Select the protocol that is used to communicate with the computer where the Mirror Database is installed: None, TCP/IP (network server), or Automatic.
    Note: When you select TCP/IP, the Redundant server address field is enabled to allow you to enter the TCP/IP address of the computer hosting the Mirror Database and Redundant Server.

    If Automatic is checked, the IP address of the computer hosting the Mirror Database and Redundant Server will be sent to the server for broadcast to all workstations on the network. This option is particularly useful if you don’t know the IP address or if the computer is set to a dynamic IP address or if the computer is connected to a DHCP server.

  6. Enter the Redundant server IP address.
  7. Select the course of action the redundancy server must take in cases of start up with no server communication.
  8. Specify the options for starting the Redundant Server when the main server shuts down: this may be automatically on a normal shutdown (when an operator shuts down the EntraPass server) or on an abnormal shutdown. The Mirror Database will start the Redundant Server when the delay indicated in the Wait before start server field has expired.
    Note: If you do not check the Start server automatically option, the Redundant Server will not start when the primary server is closed under normal conditions (i.e. operator shutdown). Therefore, it will be necessary to start it manually.
  9. Specify the system’s course of action when the server returns to normal (On server restore): enter the delay after which the Redundant Server will be stopped when the primary server returns to its normal functioning. During this time, the Redundant Server will continue to prevail (maximum allowed: 59 min:59 secs).
  10. Move to the Restore Parameters tab to define the redundant server’s course of action when the main server comes back up after a shut down.
    • To automate the restore process from the redundant server, check the Automatic process on restore box. The rest of the options become enabled.
    • Check the appropriate boxes depending on the features you have installed, and the restore process you want to activate:
      • Restore: Will transfer the whole database that contains all the transactions from the redundancy server to the main server and overwrite any data created on the main server.
      • Merge: Will only transfer data from the redundancy server when the transactions cannot be found on the main server.
        Note: When using the Merge feature, data will not be transferred in cases where, for example, a card has been modified on the redundant server and the main server simultaneously while the main server was disconnected.
  11. Click the Async updates tab to define the mirror database synchronization settings. These setting determine whether the mirror database synchronization is synchronous (Live) or asynchronous (Every 5 minutes, Every 15 minutes, Every 30 minutes, Every 60 minutes, Every 2 hours and Every 4 hours).
    Note: To check the status (pending transfers and next synchronization) of an asynchronous transfer the user can check the Mirror Database and Redundant Server connections in the Status Tab under Application.
  12. Click the Service tab to define login information when the Mirror Database and Redundant Server run as a service and a muster report needs to be printed.
    • The Login to EntraPass service application box must be checked to activate this option.
    • Enter the Mirror database and Redundancy Server Domain name and Login name.
    • Type in the Password and Password confirmation.
Note: For more information about the Comment field, see Comment Field.