The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
This chapter provides information and procedures for installing Cisco EPN Manager 2.1 in a high availability environment:
Note Before starting the installation procedure, please review the release notes for important information or issues relating to the installation.
Cisco EPN Manager supports the following High Availability (HA) deployment models.
Consider the following factors when deciding whether to use the Local, Campus, or Remote HA deployment model:
For more details about HA, see the Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager User and Administrator Guide .
The Cisco EPN Manager HA system is subject to the following limiting factors (this applies to all HA deployment models):
For assistance in determining whether your network is suitable for any of the HA variations, please contact your Cisco representative.
Using virtual IP addresses in a Local HA deployment setup gives your users the ability to connect to the active server using a single IP address or web URL without having to know which server is actually active. Virtual IP addresses also allow both servers to share a common management IP address. During normal operation, the virtual IP address points to the primary server. If a failover occurs, the virtual IP address automatically points to the secondary server. When failback occurs, the virtual IP address automatically switches back to the primary server.
To use virtual IP addresses, the following IP addresses must be on the same subnet:
The following example illustrates how virtual, primary, and secondary IP addresses should be assigned with respect to each other. If the primary and secondary servers have the following IP address assignments within the given subnet, the virtual IP address for both servers can be assigned as follows:
If you do not use a virtual IP address, you must configure your devices to forward events to both the primary and secondary servers (for example, by forwarding them to a given subnet or range of IP addresses that includes both the primary and secondary server). To reduce (or eliminate) the chance of losing data, you must configure device event forwarding before a failover occurs. You do not need to make any changes to the secondary server during installation; simply provision the primary and secondary servers with their individual IP addresses.
Whether your HA deployment uses a single IP address or not, users should always connect to the Cisco EPN Manager web GUI using the active server IP address/URL.
Firewalls between the primary and secondary servers should be configured to avoid short timeouts for TCP packets to allow enough time for HA registration and other processes.
Following is the procedure for changing the Oracle and OS timeouts, if necessary. Use this procedure if the failback operation fails repeatedly.
Back up the files specified in the procedure below.
Note This procedure must be performed on both primary and secondary servers.
Step 1 Open the following file:
/opt/oracle/base/product/12.1.0/dbhome_1/network/admin/sqlnet.ora
Step 2 Add the following parameters:
SQLNET.EXPIRE_TIME=2
DISABLE_OOB=on
SQLNET.INBOUND_CONNECT_TIMEOUT=600
Step 3 Open the following file:
/opt/CSCOlumos/bin/ha_dgmgrl.sh
Step 4 Add the following line under the register() function:
edit database $1 set property NetTimeout=1000
Following is an example excerpt of the file with the relevant line in bold:
Step 5 Open the following file:
/etc/sysctl.conf
Add the following commands to the end of the file:
Step 6 Run the following command from the root shell:
sysctl -system
The following prerequisites must be met before installing Cisco EPN Manager in a high availability deployment:
– The secondary server’s hardware and software specifications must be the same as those of the primary server. For example, if you installed Cisco EPN Manager on the primary server and specified the Professional system size, your secondary server must also be installed using the Professional system size, and must meet all requirements for Professional-size servers in System Requirements.
– The secondary server must be running the same software level as the primary server (including the patch level).
– If you plan to use a virtual IP address for a Local HA deployment, the virtual IP address, primary, and secondary servers must be on the same subnet. The gateway on the primary and secondary servers must also reside on the same subnet.
– The IP address or host name of the secondary server (if you are not using a virtual IP address). You will need it when configuring HA on the primary server.
– The virtual IPv4 and IPv6 (if used) IP addresses you want to use for both servers (if you plan to use a virtual IP address).
– The password you want to use for the HA authentication key. It will be used to authenticate communications between the primary and secondary servers. You will need to enter it when you configure HA—that is, when you register the secondary server on the primary server (also called pairing the servers). Finally, you will need it to log in to the secondary server's Health Monitor page.
– A Cisco EPN Manager web GUI user ID with Administration privileges on the primary server. You will also need the user’s password.
– A valid email address to which HA notifications can be sent.
The procedure in this section is for a fresh installation of the product in a high availability environment. If you are upgrading to Cisco EPN Manager 2.1 from a previous version, see Upgrade to Cisco EPN Manager 2.1 (High Availability).
Make sure your servers meet the requirements listed in Prerequisites for High Availability Installations.
Step 1 Install Cisco EPN Manager on the primary server as described in Install Cisco EPN Manager 2.1 (No HA).
Step 2 Install Cisco EPN Manager on the secondary server as described in Install Cisco EPN Manager 2.1 (No HA).
Step 3 When you are prompted to choose whether you want this newly-installed server to act as a secondary failback server in an HA implementation, enter yes .
Step 4 Enter a password which will be used as the HA authentication key for communication between the primary and secondary servers. You will need this key to configure HA. (During normal operation, you will need to enter the HA authentication key to log in to the secondary server’s Health Monitor page.)
Step 5 Enter the password again to confirm.
Step 6 Enter Y to confirm that you want to install this server as a secondary server. When the installation is complete, the VM (OVA/VM) or Cisco UCS server (ISO/bare metal) will reboot.
Step 7 Log in using the Cisco EPN Manager CLI admin username and password you specified during the installation.
Step 8 Verify the that all processes are running on the secondary server using the ncs status command. Ensure that, at a minimum, the following services are up and running: Health Monitor, Database, Matlab, NMS, SAM Daemon, DA Daemon, Compliance Engine. Note that for optimal Cisco EPN Manager functionality, all services should be up and running.
Step 9 Make sure all devices are configured to forward events (syslogs, traps, and TL1 messages) to both servers (or the virtual IP address, if you are using one).
Note If you do not perform this step before registering the secondary server on the primary server and a failover occurs, you may lose some data.
Step 10 Configure HA by registering the secondary server on the primary server. The registration process must be performed from the primary server. For more information, see the section on registering the secondary server on the primary server, in the Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager User and Administrator Guide .