How do I fail-over to my backup server?

Owned by Kelli Higdon
Last updated: Jul 09, 2024
4 min read

These instructions are for older Backup Server configurations. 
If you have the new Live Backup Server configuration (any server sold after 2009 likely meets this criteria) or a current support contract (thereby receiving updates), please read the current Live Backup Server article.

 

 

What version of Live Backup Server do I have?

If you've received any software updates since 2009, very likely you have version 2.0 or later.  But to make sure:

  1. Login to cp.fonality.com

  2. Look at the very bottom

  3. If the listed version is 4.1X or later (2009+) - your server is using Live Backup Server version 2.0.

    1. If so, please read the current Live Backup Server article.

  4. Otherwise, if the listed version is 4.0X (usually only seen if the server doesn't have a current Support contract) - your server is using Live Backup Server version 1.0 - continue reading below.

 

For previous versions (pre-4.1 / pre-2009):

This article outlines the process of taking your primary PBXtra server off-line and putting your Live Backup Server (LBS) up in its place. The LBS is designed to keep you up and running until your primary PBXtra server is once again available for use.

It is recommend that you note the IP address of your primary PBXtra server before you take it off line as you will need that IP address for your LBS once you have the primary server off-line.

 

NOTE: Once you have brought your LBS on-line *DO NOT USE YOUR PBXtra ADMIN INTERFACE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES!* If any changes are made to the PBXtra Admin Interface your LBS will revert to the base configuration of when the PBXtra shipped. NO CHANGES ARE POSSIBLE VIA THE LBS. THE LBS IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN PHONE SERVICE UNTIL YOUR PRIMARY SERVER IS BACK ON LINE.

NOTE: Your LBS may have old voice mail messages or not have very recent voice mail messages. All voice mail messages are copied along with all configuration files from the primary server to the LBS every 30 minutes. If a voice mail message is deleted on the primary server but was already copied to the LBS, the voice mail message will not be deleted from the LBS. If a new voice message is left on the primary server but not yet copied when the LBS is brought on line, that message will not be accessible until the primary server is brought back on-line.

NOTE: Reports are server associated. Your LBS will not reflect the calls made on your primary server, but will only report calls received and made on it. Transversely, once your primary server is back on-line, it will not reflect any of the calls made or received while the LBS was on-line. To get the IP address of your PBXtra server:

 

Temporarily connect a keyboard and monitor to your PBXtra server and log in at the “login:” prompt using these case sensitive credentials:

Username: ip Password: ip

 

Chose the menu option “Show IP Address” To bring your back up server on-line, the following steps should be followed:

  1. Bring your primary PBXtra server down by temporarily connecting a keyboard and monitor and pressing CTRL + ALT + DELETE.

  2. You will see the message “System is halted”

  3. Power down the primary PBXtra server

  4. Set the IP address of your back up PBXtra

 

Temporarily connect a keyboard and monitor to your PBXtra server and log in at the “login:” prompt using these case sensitive credentials:

Username: ip Password: ip

  1. Use the IP address wizard

    Select the “Set IP Address…” option from the menu. The wizard will display on the text screen. Follow its instructions to set the IP address and restart.

  2. Use the same static IP address of the primary server, once the primary server is off-line (not DHCP or any other IP)

    For more information please visit Avoiding IP Address Conflicts

 

Your phones will automatically re-connect to the second server within 10 minutes; you can restart them manually to speed up the process. It may also be necessary to restart your switch/router if it does not have a normal ARP cache expiration of 2 minutes.

 

Move your Telco Service Connections and Other Connections

VoIP

If you are using VoIP for phone service you need only move any ancillary equipment, such as channel banks or back up analog phone lines. No other lines need to be moved.

Analog Lines

If you use analog phone service for either primary service or for secondary service, you must move the phone lines to the analog ports of your LBS. Put the lines into the server in the same order they are in your primary server.

Move any ancillary equipment, such as channel banks or back up analog phone lines.

T1 PRI

If you use a T1 PRI, move your T1 line from your primary server and connect to your LBS.

Move any ancillary equipment, such as channel banks or back up analog phone lines.

Once this process is complete, your LBS will now be the PBXtra server and your phones will resolve to it for all inbound and outbound calls, as well as for HUD.

If you have any issues brining your LBS on-line, please contact Fonality Support at http://support.fonality.com. Should this be an emergency, call Fonality Support at 866-366-2548 and follow the prompts for Emergency Support.

When it is time to bring your primary server back on-line, it is recommended you contact Fonality Support so that any configuration changes and voice mail messages can be copied to your primary server from your LBS.

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