Set up a primary and a backup activation server

Use a backup activation server to provide activations in case your primary activation server fails. To establish two activation servers with one as a backup, install FactoryTalk Activation Manager and add the activation files to both computers. Lock the activations to a dongle so that the dongle can be moved between the servers. Add the location of both activation servers to any computer that will be checking out activations.

To set up a primary and a backup activation server:

  1. Install FactoryTalk Activation Manager on both server computers.
  2. Retrieve activation files for the primary server using the dongle as the binding.
  3. Copy the activation files you retrieved to the activation folder on the backup server.
  4. Attach the dongle to the primary server.
  5. Configure all computers that need software activations to recognize both servers. To expedite checkouts, place the primary server at the top of the list of servers.
  6. If the primary server fails, move the dongle to the secondary server.
  7. On the FactoryTalk Activation Manager Home page, click the Manage Activations tab, and move the secondary server to the top of the list to expedite checkouts.

See also

Get an activation for a plug-and-play dongle

Update activation search path locations

Manage the FactoryTalk Activation server

File access

Keywords: primary, backup, secondary