Role failover - Failover is a backup operational mode in which a role (system function) is automatically transferred from its primary server to a secondary server that is on standby. This transfer between servers occurs only if the primary server becomes unavailable, either through failure or through scheduled downtime. Role failover is managed by the Directory role.

Role failover - Failover is a backup operational mode in which a role (system function) is automatically transferred from its primary server to a secondary server that is on standby. This transfer between servers occurs only if the primary server becomes unavailable, either through failure or through scheduled downtime. Role failover is managed by the Directory role. - Security Center 5.13

Security Center Administrator Guide 5.13

Product

Security Center

Content type

Guides > Administrator guides

Version

5.13

Release

5.13

ft:locale

en-US

Last updated

2026-01-28

Failover is a backup operational mode in which a role (system function) is automatically transferred from its primary server to a secondary server that is on standby. This transfer between servers occurs only if the primary server becomes unavailable, either through failure or through scheduled downtime. Role failover is managed by the Directory role.

How role failover works in Security Center

For failover to work in Security Center, you must define two types of servers:

Primary server: Hosts a role during normal operation.
Secondary server: Stays on standby and takes over the role if the primary server becomes unavailable.

There is no limit to the number of secondary (or standby) servers you can assign to most roles. However, adding more servers might reduce cost-effectiveness.

A secondary server for one role can also be the primary server for another role, provided both servers have enough resources (CPU, memory, disk space, and network bandwidth) to handle the combined load during failover.

IMPORTANT: Security Center does not manage the failover of role databases, except for the Directory database. For roles that connect to a database, other than Archiver roles, host the database server on a separate computer, distinct from the servers hosting the role. All role servers must have read and write access to the database server. To protect your data, back up the role database regularly.

Before failover, a role runs on the primary server and connects to a database server hosted on a third computer. When the primary server fails, the role automatically switches (fails over) to the secondary server and reconnects to the same database server.