How to Join Systems in a Mirrored Configuration

Last updated on 2018-04-09 08:28:19

This article refers to the Barracuda Message Archiver firmware version 5.0 and higher running on Barracuda Message Archiver model 450 and higher. Mirrored systems must be the same model and run the same firmware version, but need not reside in the same location or network. Each Barracuda Message Archiver must function independently and accept and archive messages before it can be mirrored to another system.

You must complete all steps on each system you want to include in the mirrored configuration or message synchronization may not be bidirectional.

If you plan to join a new Barracuda Message Archiver with an existing appliance, contact Barracuda Networks Technical Support before mirroring these systems as real-time mail is synchronized between the appliances. Barracuda Networks Technical Support can transfer historic mail already present on the original appliance to the new appliance, and can determine the most efficient workflow for your environment.

Step 1. Configure Barracuda Message Archivers for Mirroring

On each system you want to include in the mirrored configuration, navigate to the ADVANCED > Clustering page, and in the Mirroring section, enter the following details:
1. Shared Secret – Enter an alphanumeric shared secret passcode; you must enter the same code on all Barracuda Message Archivers that you want to include in the mirrored configuration so that the systems ‘trust’ one another.
  Important
  The passcode must match exactly on all systems or the systems will not mirror with each other.
2. Mirroring Hostname (optional) – The name by which systems that mirror to this Archiver will attempt to communicate with it. If this field is empty, then the system IP address will be used.
  You can use a name that is not resolvable by DNS only by ensuring that the provided hostname and corresponding IP address have been entered in the Local Host Map of the mirrored systems.
3. Mirror this Archiver to – The IP address or host (DNS) name of an Archiver to which you would like this appliance to mirror messages
  Important
  If you are replacing a mirror, then the listing for that system must first be removed from ALL systems that mirror to it.
Click Add Mirror, and click Save at the top of the page.
Repeat these steps for each system you want to include in the mirrored configuration using the same shared secret on each system.

Step 2. Verify System Connectivity

Once the Barracuda Message Archivers are fully configured for mirroring, make sure that each system can see the other systems over the network:

Log in to each system, and navigate to the ADVANCED > Troubleshooting page. In the Network Connectivity Tests section, enter the hostname or IP address of the system you want to test in the Ping Device field, and click Begin Ping.
Important
The hostname must match what you entered in the Mirroring Hostname field for the other systems, or else that system’s IP address if the field was left blank.
Verify the other systems can be seen over the network. Once you complete the mirror settings and verify system connectivity for all Barracuda Message Archivers in the mirrored configuration, the configuration is complete.

Step 3. View Clustering Status

You can check the cluster status and transfer rate to the mirrored device from the BASIC > Dashboard page in the Cluster Status section.

If a system in the mirrored configuration goes offline, the status button in the Clustered Search table on the ADVANCED > Clustering page displays red. Mouse-over the system to view system status. Archiving behavior continues as expected on the remaining systems in the mirrored configuration.