Overview
A multiple primary servers environment provides high availability for RICOH ProcessDirector by distributing system components across five dedicated servers.
- Lead primary server
- The lead primary server handles processing when the environment starts and it is the primary server that starts first.
- Alternate primary server
- The alternate primary server monitors the lead primary server and stands ready to take over if needed. When failover occurs, the transition completes within a few minutes, minimizing disruption to your printing operations.
- UI server
- Hosts the RICOH ProcessDirector interface. The UI server routes requests to whichever primary server is currently active, so users experience no interruption during failover. You can access the administration interface from a supported browser on workstations in your network without installing additional software.
- File server
- The file server provides shared storage that all servers access through NFS. Job data, configuration files, and system resources reside on the file server, ensuring that both primary servers can access the same information. This shared storage architecture eliminates synchronization delays during failover and ensures that no data is lost when the active primary changes.
- Database server
- The database server hosts the database using PostgreSQL or IBM DB2. All database requests originate from the active primary server, maintaining data consistency across the environment. Installing the database on a dedicated server isolates database operations from job processing and improves overall system performance.
You can expand a multiple primary servers environment with secondary servers to increase processing capacity. Secondary servers receive work assignments from the lead primary server and continue processing during failover. Application Servers can also participate in a multiple primary servers environment, extending RICOH ProcessDirector functionality to Windows-based applications.
A multiple primary servers environment supports all RICOH ProcessDirector features, including job submission through hot folders and LPD protocol, document tracking in PDF jobs, and AFP Support if purchased. The environment maintains the same web-based user interface and workflow capabilities as a standard installation while adding automatic failover protection.