Installing 3CX on a offline backup server (not using 3CX Failover)

[PeterM]

Hello.

I'm curious if there is a way to install a exact copy of my active 3CX server without setting up 3CX failover, and without affecting the currently running production 3CX server? The idea is that in case tha hardware fails, i can just move my network cabling and power the replacement server up. Is there any way to do this?

Thank you

 

[NikolasA_3CX]

Hi @PeterM

It's not possible to do this because the installation requires an internet connection so that the license key can be activated, which means this needs to be done in an online enviroment and if you do so, then the active machine can get affected because the FQDN will change IP, and depending on your VoIP provider, you can also have call issues.

 

[PeterM]

Thank you, Nicolas.

So if I understand correctly the only way to do it, is with the 3CX failover mechanism.

Correct?

Thank you

 

[NikolasA_3CX]

Thank you, Nicolas.

So if I understand correctly the only way to do it, is with the 3CX failover mechanism.

Correct?

Thank you

The failover mechanism is there so that the passive PBX will automatically switch to active when the active PBX fails, with you needing to manually make any changes, and this is the reccomended way.

You can still install a 2nd PBX with the same license key and FQDN, and then turn off that server until you need to switch to it, but to install it, you need an internet connection.

Also, if anything happens and you need to use the 2nd PBX, you will need to manually transfer the backup from the primary to the secondary server, restore the backup, make any other changes that are needed, and then have the users switch.

 

[leejor]

You could also clone the entire hard drive and then apply the latest backup if the standby server were to be used.

This assumes the two machines are identical.

 

[Alphabetic]

Theres no point in creating offline copies of your 3CX as you'd have to always make sure its up to date.

You either need an image based backup solution or get failover sorted.

if disaster recover is a concern here, then you need to look at proper solutions.

Image based backup
3CX Failover
Hyperv replication

to name a few.

 

[PeterM]

Ok, thank you for your pointers. I guess failover is the way to go.