3.6.0 Matrix Server 3.6.0 Administration Guide (5697-7081, December 2007)

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Configure Virtual Hosts

PolyServe Matrix Server uses virtual hosts to provide failover protection

for servers and network applications.

Overview

A virtual host is a hostname/IP address configured on a set of network

interfaces. Each interface must be located on a different server. The first

network interface configured is the primary interface for the virtual host.

The server providing this interface is the primary server. The remaining

network interfaces are backups; the servers providing these interfaces are

the backup servers. By default, Matrix Server directs network traffic for

the virtual host to the primary interface.

The primary and backup servers do not need to be dedicated to these

activities; all servers can support other independent functions.

The network interface currently receiving the network traffic is the active

interface and is labeled as “Active” on the PolyServe Management

Console. This interface is typically the primary interface; however, if

Matrix Server has redirected the network traffic to a backup interface,

that interface becomes the active interface. Network interfaces not

currently receiving network traffic for a virtual host are called inactive

interfaces.

After creating virtual hosts, you will need to configure your network

applications to recognize them. When clients want to access a network

application, they use the virtual host address instead of the address of the

server where the application is running.