Deploying multiple IAG servers in an array

  • Article

Applies To: Intelligent Application Gateway (IAG)

Deploying multiple Whale Communications Intelligent Application Gateway (IAG) 2007 servers in a high-availability array configuration enables you to deploy identical configuration settings on all array members. After defining settings on the first IAG server in the array, export and import interfaces assist you to quickly and accurately deploy the configuration across the array, ensuring identical settings for all IAG servers. The identical configuration settings enable each server in the array to take over the functionality of any other IAG server as necessary.

Configuring an array consists of the following steps:

  • (Optional) You can pre-configure the first IAG server by using the Service Policy Manager. If you do so, make sure to pre-configure all the IP addresses and port numbers you will use on all trunks throughout the array. For more information, see Modifying IAG network and server settings.

  • Configure load balancing as follows:

  • On the first IAG server define a list of the IAG servers in the array, and define the IP addresses that are unique for each server on the array.

  • When you have completed setting up the High Availability configuration on the first IAG server, you export the entire configuration from that server and import it into all the other IAG servers in the array.

Important

All IAG servers in the array must use the same encryption key with an identical passphrase. For more information, see Configuring IAG network and server settings.

Defining array servers and IP addresses

To set up the array configuration do the following:

  • Prepare a list of the IAG servers in the array

  • Configure, for each trunk, the relevant IP addresses for each of the listed IAG servers.

Preparing the list of IAG servers

Prepare a list of servers as follows:

To prepare the list of IAG servers

  1. In the Configuration program, on the Admin menu, click High Availability Servers.

    The High Availability Servers dialog box is displayed. The first IAG server on which you are defining the array is listed by default as (local) in the list of servers.

  2. To add an IAG server to the list of servers, do one of the following:

    • Enter the server’s name in the text box and click Add.

    • Click the Browse for Computer icon to browse for the server.

    The server is added to the list of IAG servers.

  3. Add all the IAG servers that are part of the High Availability array to the list, and then click OK.

    The High Availability dialog box closes. Proceed to Configuring trunk IP addresses.

Configuring trunk IP addresses

Configure IP addresses for each trunk on the first IAG server in the array only. Later, you will deploy the entire High Availability configuration across the array.

To configure the High Availability trunk IP addresses

  1. On the first IAG server, in the Configuration program, select a trunk for which you wish to configure the High Availability option.

  2. In the lower-left area of the Configuration pane, next to the High Availability option, click Configure.

    The High Availability IP Addresses dialog box is displayed, with the first IAG on which you are defining the array selected and defined as (local).

    In the list of servers, select the IAG server you wish to configure. The types of IP addresses that are displayed vary according to the type of trunk you are configuring. Repat for each server on the list. When you finish configuring all the servers that are part of the High Availability array for this trunk, click OK in the High Availability IP Addresses dialog box.

  3. Repeat the steps above to configure the High Availability option for all the trunks in your IAG configuration.

  4. In the Configuration window, click the Activate icon and follow the instructions to save and activate the configuration.

Deploying the high availability configuration

Once you have completed all definitions in the first IAG server, you deploy them across the High Availability array, as follows:

  1. From the first IAG server, export the configuration settings into a project in a location that is accessible to all the other servers in the array.

  2. Import the configuration into all the other servers in the array.

    Note

    The encryption key and passphrase must match on the server you are exporting from and on the server you are exporting to. If the servers were defined with different keys, you can use a key import utility in order to export the keys from one IAG server and import them to another. Note that every time you change and activate the IAG configuration in one of the IAG servers in the High Availability array, you must deploy the configuration across the entire array. This includes changes in the Configuration program and changes to external configuration settings. If you add an additional IAG server to the array, you must deploy the configuration across the entire array again.

Exporting a configuration project

Export the configuration as follows:

To export the configuration

  1. On the first IAG server, access the Configuration program, and on the File menu, click Export.

    The Export configuration box is displayed.

  2. Enter the following, and then click Save:

    • Select the location to which you wish to export the project, and enter the project name.

    • Enter your passphrase.

    • By default, the configuration file is encrypted when it is exported. If you do not wish the file to be encrypted, select the option Export decrypted.

    The Export configuration dialog box closes, and the configuration is exported to the selected location. A message is displayed.

Importing a configuration project

Import the configuration as follows:

To import the configuration

  1. On the target IAG server, access the Configuration program, and on the File menu, click Import.

    The Import configuration dialog box is displayed.

  2. Select the folder that contains the file you exported from the first IAG server, select the configuration file, enter your passphrase, and then click Import.

    The Import configuration dialog box closes. The project, including all its configuration settings, is imported into the target IAG server. A message is displayed.

  3. Click OK to dismiss the message. In the Configuration program, click and follow the instructions to save and activate the configuration.

    The configuration you created on the first IAG server is applied to the target IAG server.