Table of Contents
Setting the synchronization of the playlists of the main and backup servers
The playback channels redundancy is implemented by the synchronous operation of a pair of SL NEO servers, the primary and the secondary. At the same time the primary server operates in normal mode, the backup server constantly synchronizes all of its playlists (including graphics) and playback channels with the primary one with an accuracy of just a few frames.
In case of a failure or unexpected stoppage of the primary server, the backup server automatically stops synchronization and continues to perform all of its playlists offline.
The procedure of setting the synchronization of playback services/channels of the main and backup SL NEO servers is performed from the Control Panel - Administrator Control Panel, with the server software running. Logging into the console is done locally from the server, or from any machine in the network at http://ip_address:7901. You should log in to the management console as an administrator.
Setting up synchronization of the backup server from the main
After logging into the backup server management console, select Manage in the left menu, then select the Program Outputs tab, select the Main/Backup Sync tab in the Program Output 1 window.
In the Sync method field select Online Continuous - continuous continuous synchronization mode.
In the Sync source address field enter IP address of the synchronization source - main server, in the Sync source program field select 1 (first playback channel with all graphic layers).
Then you need to perform similar procedures for all other playback channels, changing the Sync source program parameter in the corresponding fields.
Click the “Apply Changes” button in the upper part of the control console window. This will reload the playback channel, the playback on the backup server will be paused.
Configuring the One-Time Synchronization Mode of the primary server from the backup
After the main server is restored, it may be necessary to backsync - one time synchronization of the main server playlists from the backup server. This mode must be configured on the primary server.
After entering the main server management console, select Manage in the left menu, then select the tab Program Outputs, in the window Program Output 1 select the tab Main/Backup Sync.
In the Sync method field select Manual One Time Only - manual one-time synchronization mode.
In the Sync source address field input the IP-address of backup server, and in the Sync source program field select 1 (the first playback channel with all graphics layers).
Then it is necessary to do the same procedure for all the playback channels of the main server, changing the Sync source program parameters.
. Click the “Apply Changes” button at the top of the control console window. This will reload the playback channel, the playback on the backup server will be paused.
Sync Mode Management in Air Manager
After setting up the server side, you need to enable synchronization on the client side. In order to activate the synchronization of the primary and backup server sets, you must use the menu that opens with a right-click in each Broadcast window (the lower left part of the Broadcast window).
The commands and synchronization modes in the Broadcast window:
Gray square, N/A caption - the synchronization function on the “neighboring” server is not configured, synchronization is not possible. Red square, inscription NLK - the “neighbor” server is configured and present, but the automatic synchronization is disabled.
The “Lock main playlist” command on the backup set enables permanent auto sync mode. The red indicator changes to green, and the LK caption is displayed. This mode is possible only in the scheme N+N (100% duplication of servers and playlist channels).
The command “Unlock main playlist” on the backup set disables the permanent automatic synchronization mode. The green indicator changes to NLK red.
After the recovery of the main server performance there may be a need in reverse synchronization - i.e. it is necessary to synchronize the playlist of the main server from the backup one time. The command is “Synchronize Once” on the main server. The command “Lock Main Playlist Offline” on the backup set enables the mode of constant automatic synchronization of playlists only (so-called “virtual” synchronization, when playlist windows are synchronized, but output boards and server players stand still).
The red indicator changes to yellow and the LK inscription is displayed. This mode is possible in the N+1…M scheme (partial duplication of servers and playback channels). Switching the selected playback channel to the active synchronization mode is performed by the command “Lock main playlist” on the redundant set. For fast simultaneous synchronization of all groups of the main and the backup server playlists (full-screen playlists for all channels + graphic playlists, you should use the menu item Air Manager - File/Sync to All Masters.
When controlling the playback of graphic events from the main playlist, from the lists of secondary events, there is no need to synchronize the graphic playlists on the backup server, it is enough to enable synchronization only of the main playlist.