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CLIENT BACKUP SETUP
TECHNICAL SETUP
Starting with Pixera 2.0 Backup options are available for both Clients and Directors. To have access to backup options, either set up a multiclient-setup or use dry client programming.
By doing so, clients can be accessed in the Mapping live tab.
For a detailed explanation on multiclient setup: Master Client Setup
Dry Client Programming: Dry Client Programming
Backup declaration
In this demonstration, a simple three machine setup is presented. One Pixera Director, a playout Client as well as a Backup Client.
To Access the Backup options, select the desired Client, which should be the backúp and navigate down in the inspector:
Now we are going to define the PXM-20836 (10.0.41.10) Server as the target for the backup service. Add a line for IP adress by pressing +, then add the IP address to the list:
We now define which Client the Backup Client should take over. Also, multiple IP addresses can be typed in, in case one Backup Client should backup multiple Playout Clients.
As soon as the IP address has been added, a new icon on the live systems tab beside the target backup machine will appear. This indicates a backup configuration for the Client:
NOTE
As described earlier this feature can be used in the dry client programming steps. Just simply create an empty client and setup the settings accordingly: Dry Client Programming
Output declaration
IMPORTANT
To transfer the outputs correctly to the configured backup system, a naming scheme must be used. Pixera only transfers the outputs to the backup machine's outputs if the outputs do have the same naming scheme.
In our example the outputs for the playout Client are configured as followed:
IMPORTANT
It is possible to mix machines and systems when configuring backups. For example a Pixera 2 can be programmed as a backup system for a Pixera RS. To do so, additionally change the Graphic cards name.For the backup to work, the graphic card names also must be the same.
In comparison the output names on our Backup System:
At this point, the Backup-Setup has been completed and the Backup System is ready for takeover.
TRIGGERING THE BACKUP
There are two different strategies to activate the backup. Either it is done manually or Pixera decides automatically if the backup should be activated.
Manual Backup
There are different methods to trigger the takeover. The first option can be accessed via right-click on a client:
If the previous steps have been configured correctly the backup service will take over the playout. By using the "Move To" option, the outputs can easily be moved back to the regular playout client if it is available in the live systems.
The Backup can be triggered from Control as well. To do so, a new UI element is available. To use it, add a module and create an UI in this module. Add the Live Systems UI element:
After adding the UI element, connect it to the available Pixera Client. This process must be repeated for every individual Client:
In addition to the backup functionality, this UI element displays performance data as well. Simply hit the "Switch to Backup" Button to switch to the backup service:
Automatic Backup
The last setup option is the automized switch. Just apply the option in live system settings of the client. The system will automatically switch to the backup system as soon as the Playout Client is offline:
We recommend activating this setting only for fixed installation projects. For live system setups, we recommend the manual triggered backup scenarios.
CONTROL ACTION TRIGGER
Additionally, Control Actions can be executed as soon as a backup situation is triggered.
A lot of times, in addition to switching to the Media Server backup systems, an immediate switch of the output routing must be done as well.
Simply create and/or add a device control module in Control. In the mapping tab, add the command with the syntax: ControlModuleName.ActionName
In Control the Action will be triggered.
Please note:
In this example only a log entry is triggered via the backup switch. This example is a simple demonstration.
LIVE INPUTS
Like the output configuration backup covers live inputs as well. To configure said backup, simply add the same name to the live inputs on the backup system (like the output configuration). If the outputs are correctly routed and the names are set as well, Pixera will handle the backup situation equal to the output backup.
Pixera 1.9.136 | 20. September 2023