<%NUMBERING1%>.<%NUMBERING2%>.<%NUMBERING3%> PRTG Manual: Failover Cluster Step by Step

This section will guide you through a step-by-step process to set up a failover cluster. Please follow these instructions carefully, in order to successfully integrate two or more PRTG installations into one failover cluster.

Note: Before getting started, please make sure you consider the information in section Failover Cluster Configuration.

Step 1: Install Core Servers

We will start with setting up a single failover cluster, consisting of two PRTG core server installations, each running on an individual server. Please use your license key twice to install the PRTG core server on two different computers.

If you already run an installation of PRTG, this will be your future Master Node. In this case, please install a second core server on another computer only. Make sure you use the same license key for both installations.

Before you begin to set up a cluster, please make sure you run exactly the same PRTG version (build number) on all (future) nodes (install updates for existing installations, if necessary). Note: Once the cluster is established, any updates you install on one node will be deployed to all other cluster nodes automatically.

For details about the installation process, please see Install a PRTG Core Server.

Step 2: Configure Master Node

Decide which of your PRTG core server installations will be your future Master Node. If you already run an installation of PRTG in your network for some time, this should be your master, so your existing monitoring configuration is being kept.

On the Master Node server, from the Windows start menu, open the PRTG Administration Tool. In the Cluster tab, click on the following button:

Create a PRTG Cluster...

  • Start creating a cluster by clicking this button. The current PRTG core server will then be the Master Node of your cluster.
  • After you click this button, please confirm converting this installation into a master node by clicking on the Yes button.
Converting an Installation into a Cluster Master Node

Converting an Installation into a Cluster Master Node

  • A new dialog box will appear.
     
PRTG Administrator: Creating a Cluster Master

PRTG Administrator: Creating a Cluster Master

  • Enter a Cluster Port. This is the port on which the internal communication between the different cluster nodes is sent. Make sure connections between cluster nodes are possible on the selected port.
  • Enter or paste a Cluster Access Key. This is a unique access key. All nodes in a cluster have to be configured with the same cluster access key in order to join the cluster. Connection attempts with the wrong access key will be rejected.
  • We recommend that you use the default value.
  • Save the Cluster Access Key so you have it at hand when configuring your Failover Node(s).
  • After confirming your settings you will be asked to restart Windows services. Please do so in order for your changes to take effect.
     

Step 3: Configure Failover Node

On the server that will be your Failover Node, from the Start menu, open the PRTG Administration Tool. In the Cluster tab, click the following button:

Join a PRTG Cluster...

  • Add this installation to an existing cluster which already has a Master Node, by clicking this button. The current PRTG core server will then be a Failover Node in the cluster.
  • Note: This button is also available if you are currently running your PRTG installation in Cluster Mode: Master Node. This option will then change your master node to a failover node!
  • After you click this button, confirm converting this installation into a failover node by clicking on the Yes button.
Converting an Installation into a Cluster Failover Node

Converting an Installation into a Cluster Failover Node

  • A dialog box will appear.
PRTG Server Administrator

PRTG Server Administrator

  • Enter the cluster's Master IP address/DNS name. It must be reachable from the machine running the failover node.
  • Enter the other settings as defined in your Master Node's settings. Please make sure you use the same settings on all nodes in your cluster.
  • Enter a Cluster Port. This is the port on which the internal communication between the different cluster nodes is sent. Make sure connections between cluster nodes are possible on the selected port.
  • Enter or paste a Cluster Access Key. This is a unique access key. All nodes in a cluster have to be configured with the same cluster access key in order to join the cluster. Connection attempts with the wrong access key will be rejected.
  • After confirming your settings you will be asked to restart Windows services. Please do so in order for your changes to take effect.
     

Step 4: Confirm Failover Node

Now you need to confirm the new failover node by setting it to Active in the master node's settings.

In a browser window, log into PRTG’s web interface of the Master Node server.

In the System Administration—Cluster settings, you will see your “Master Node” server in the first line of the cluster list and your “Failover Node” server below.

System Administration: Cluster Node Setup

System Administration: Cluster Node Setup

For the “Failover Node”, set the radio button for Node State to Active and Save the changes. The nodes will now connect and exchange configuration data. This may take a few minutes.

Step 5: Check Cluster Connection

In two browser windows, log into PRTG’s web interfaces of both of your PRTG installations. Open the cluster status page in both windows by clicking on the narrow cluster information bars at the top of each window. You should see a cluster status with your two nodes in a Connected state after a few minutes.

PRTG Cluster Status

PRTG Cluster Status

Step 6: Trouble Shooting

Having any problems? If your nodes cannot connect, please see

In the latest entries of these logs, you can see messages about any errors that might have occurred. These will give you hints on where to find a solution.

If you encounter connection problems between the two cluster nodes, please make sure that no software- or hardware firewall is blocking communication on the cluster port defined during cluster setup. Communication between the nodes must be possible in both directions in order for the cluster to work properly.

Step 7: Done! Move Sensors to the Cluster Probe Now

That’s it. You’ve now successfully set up your failover cluster. All devices that are created or moved under the Cluster Probe will be monitored by both servers.

In order to monitor your existing configuration via all cluster nodes, on your master node, please move your groups, devices, and sensors from the local probe to the cluster probe! Objects, including their settings, will then be transferred to all cluster nodes automatically.

Add More Failover Nodes

If you want to add an additional failover node to your cluster, you will need an additional license key for two and three failover nodes, and two additional license keys to run four failover nodes.

Note: In a cluster, only core servers running on the same size of license can be combined. For example, you can use several "PRTG Unlimited" licenses or several "PRTG 1000" licenses in one cluster.

To add another failover node to your cluster, please set up a new PRTG core server installation on a new server, using an additional license key. Then proceed with Step 3 and following.

Note: Use a second license key to set up both your second and third failover node, and use a third license key to set up your fourth failover node. The "Corporate Country" license can be used to install an unlimited number of core servers within one corporation in one country and the "Corporate 5 Core Global" license can be used to install up to five core servers within one corporation worldwide. The "Enterprise Unlimited Site" license (no longer available for purchase) can be used to install an unlimited number of core servers within one corporation.

Each failover cluster is technically limited to five cluster nodes: As a maximum, you can run one master node and four failover nodes in one cluster.

Note: We recommend you to stay below 5,000 sensors per cluster for best performance in a single failover. For each additional failover node, divide the recommended number of sensors by two.

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Knowledge Base: My PRTG Cluster is messed up. How can I start over?

 

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