To ensure high availability and system redundancy, PADS4FIDS supports a failover configuration using two PADS4 servers with a shared SQL database and a DNS API switcher. This setup ensures that if one PADS4 server becomes unavailable, the system can automatically redirect to the secondary server with minimal disruption.

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Overview

  • SQL Database: Hosted on a separate server (not on either PADS4 server)
  • Two PADS4FIDS Servers: Installed on separate machines
  • DNS API Switcher: Automatically redirects traffic between primary and secondary servers
  • Unified Access: Viewers and operators use a common DNS address

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Step-by-Step Setup

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Step 1: Prepare the SQL Database

  • Set up a SQL Server on a dedicated machine in your network.
  • Follow the standard steps for creating a PADS4FIDS database on this server.
  • Ensure both PADS4 servers will have access to this SQL Server.

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Step 2: Install Two PADS4FIDS Servers

  • Deploy two separate PADS4FIDS servers (on two virtual or physical machines).
  • These servers will share the same licensing, but you must contact the PADS4 Sales Team to authorize this configuration.
  • Refer to the official PADS4 installation manual for setup instructions.

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Step 3: Install a DNS API Switcher

  • Install the DNS API Switcher on a machine that is not one of the PADS4 servers.
  • This machine can be the SQL server or another system that can communicate with both PADS4 servers and all PADS4 Viewers.
  • Configure the DNS API Switcher to:
    • Use the primary PADS4 server as the default endpoint
    • Automatically switch to the secondary server if the primary becomes unreachable

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Step 4: Configure Viewers and Operator Access

  • Configure all PADS4 Viewers to use the DNS address from the API switcher instead of a fixed server IP.
  • The DNS address should be entered as the PADS4 Server IP in viewer connection settings.
  • Default ports remain unchanged unless otherwise specified:
    • Port 80 (HTTP)
    • Port 7237 (PADS4 communication)
  • Users accessing the PADS4FIDS Operator must also use the DNS address to ensure continuity, regardless of which server is active.

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Network Diagram

A network topology diagram would be displayed here, illustrating the relationship between:
  • SQL Server
  • Primary and Secondary PADS4 Servers
  • DNS API Switcher
  • PADS4 Viewers and Operators