Question about multiple vault servers, datastores

[Andy297]

Hello,

I have the following scenario:

We have a Vault server running on our site in Germany for our german users. Now we want to add a Vault server in Switzerland, using its own local storage for the Swiss users.

We want to use the same AD Account to connect to the Exchange servers. Now, what is the best way to do this ? Do we just setup a cluster environment with a second Vault Server in switzerland ? Thanks for any information!

Regards

Andy

[RahulG]

Even if you create new Ev instance (ev server with a new enterprise vault directory database) , you can use the same Ad account . 

You also have option an new Ev server to the existing site which means that both the Ev server would have common Ev directory database. 

I am not sure why you want to setup a cluster enviornement ?

[GabeV · Accepted solution]

Hello Andy297,

You can setup an EV cluster on each location for high availability. If that's the case, then you could setup a Windows or VCS cluster one each location, install EV and add the EV server to the site. However, a cluster where each node resides on each location, I am not sure if that configuration would be recommended. 

If you have a domain controller on each location (and I hope you have) the EV server would connect to the local GC for authentication. Having both EV servers on the same EV site means that you would be using the same Vault Service Account.

In addition, this technote can help you to convert a standalone EV installation to a Windows cluster:

Converting an existing Enterprise Vault installation to a Windows Server failover cluster
http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO96185

One suggestion, you might want to have a consultant on site to assist you further with this project.

I hope this helps.

[MMcCr · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Basic rule of thumb is that the EV server should be in the same location as the Exchange server and the SQL server containing the Directory DB and VS DB's - over a WAN link this could cause you issues unless your WAN link is super fast and adequate bandwidth with the amount of traffic that will be going between the servers (i.e. equivalent to a LAN).

Review the EV performance guide (this is EV10 - http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC4553) and the Installation Document also http://www.symantec.com/docs/DOC6590 (again this is the EV10 doc) which will help you decide this.

Factoring in the geographical restrictions you may design that the single server or cluster you install in switzerland is a seperate directory and site (you can still use the same AD VSA - you need to ensure you have a local and functioning GC.)

As mentioned above I would seriously recomend that you get a consultant on board to plan and implement this for you.