6.3

VMware, Inc. 27
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This chapter includes the following topics:
 “Verifying vCenter Server Heartbeat” on page 27
 “Failover Simulation” on page 27
 “Data Replication Exercise” on page 28
 “Switchover Exercise” on page 29
Verifying vCenter Server Heartbeat
The Installation Verification process validates the proper installation of vCenter Server Heartbeat and tests the
software’s operation.
The following procedures safely exercise the ability of vCenter Server Heartbeat to perform a failover,
switchover, and to replicate data and allow you to verify the operations complete successfully without risk to
data. These exercises build upon one another and therefore must be performed in order.
VMware does not recommend attempting to test a failover in a production environment on a operating server
pair using methods such as unplugging a power cord. When power is lost, any data not written to the passive
server can be lost. VMware recommends performing a switchover rather than a failover to test the operation
of the passive server.
Failover Simulation
This exercise demonstrates that the Secondary server can function as the Primary Server without the test data
being immediately replicated back to the original server. During the exercise, you will stop the Primary server
from providing service and hide it from the network, then introduce the Secondary server to the network and
allow it to provide service.
Starting Conditions
Using the System Tray icon, verify that the Primary server displays P/A indicating that it is the active server.
On the Secondary server, repeat the process and verify that the Secondary server displays S/— indicating that
it is passive.
Using the vCenter Server Heartbeat Console, navigate to the Data: Replication tab. Verify that both the File
System and the Registry Status display as Synchronized.
Notify any local users that the service will be unavailable for the duration of the exercise.
Installation Verification
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