Divisions > VOIP > Call Centers > Failover System Explained

Failover System explained

 

Core idea

The failover system is a security feature that enables users to overcome an equipment  technical problem by accessing a duplicate piece of similar equipment that is ready to be activated should the first encounter any failure.

Failover makes sense as long as all components of the equipment chain are enabled with a similar level of security.

To accomplish this, we recommend:

  • an uninterruptable power supply for servers, switches and gateways

  • a centralized power supply with and safety system for IP telephones that is connected to a PoE switch

  • the possibility of re-directing outgoing calls to a VOIP operator

  • a backup IP route for inter-location communications if the event of main IP route disruption

Explanation

  • Heartbeat or Keepalive manages the failover system
  • An (S1) machine does the work while the other (S2) remains on standby
  • S2 monitors S1 and vice versa
  • In the event of a problem on S1, it loses its IP address which is transferred to S2. This permits the phones and gateway to connect to the IP PBX

Note: it is also possible to configure HeadShot to cut power to the problematic server by utilizing the UPS. Therefore there's no stoppage of activity. An email is sent to the service provider who then fixes the problem on S1. Once fixed, the phone service automatically switches back to S1.

Managing configuration files

  • A script copies the configuration files of the master server to the standby server every 24 hours. An increased volume would trigger a cpoying of the problem encountered by the master server to the standby server.

Management of voice recordings

  • A smart synchronization system (DRBD) manages the voice recording files in real time on both servers (call greetings and not-available messages)

Managing logs

  • There is no synchronization of logs because each system creates its own backups.