Chapter 1 Planning for Personal Assistant

Creating Server Clusters

Effect of Load Balancing on Rule-Based Call Routing

If you are not using failover servers, and if a Personal Assistant server becomes disabled, the interceptor port route points registered with that particular server are unavailable. Because the remaining servers were not configured as failover servers, these interceptor ports cannot re-register with these servers. Instead, Personal Assistant cannot intercept calls for these extensions. Thus, all rule-based call routing for the affected users will be unavailable and all calls will ring directly through to the applicable extensions.

Creating a Personal Assistant Server Cluster With Failover

If load balancing, as explained in the “Setting Up Personal Assistant Server Load Balancing” section on page 1-13, does not provide you with sufficient redundancy, you can configure failover servers in the Personal Assistant cluster.

If you are using failover and a Personal Assistant server becomes disabled, the failover server takes control of the media ports and interceptor ports that were configured on the disabled server. For example, if you configured 15 media ports on the disabled server, the failover server would add 15 media ports to its configuration. Thus, if you use failover servers, you must have twice as many servers for a given number of media ports as would be required if you were not using failover servers.

Although the failover server takes on the media and interceptor ports of the disabled server, it cannot take over active calls. Any active calls on the disabled server are dropped. However, if Personal Assistant has completed its role in the call process (for example, it had transferred a call based on call-routing rules), the call remains in progress.

In addition to taking over the disabled server ports, the failover server registers itself with

Cisco CallManager as the disabled server CTI route point.

When the disabled server becomes active again, it asks the failover server to return its ports. The failover server returns the ports as they become available; no active calls are dropped. When the reactivated server regains all media ports, it reregisters itself as the CTI route point with Cisco CallManager.

There are two main techniques for setting up failover servers:

•Using Active Personal Assistant Servers for Failover, page 1-15

•Using Spare Personal Assistant Servers for Failover, page 1-16

Using Active Personal Assistant Servers for Failover

When you use an active Personal Assistant server as a failover server, the server works as a regular Personal Assistant server managing calls with users. The server is not idle.

However, if the primary server becomes disabled, the failover server must be able to handle the media and interceptor ports of the disabled server, as well as its own. Thus, you must have sufficient capacity on the failover server to accommodate the ports defined on the disabled server.

For example, if you are using two MCS-7835-H1-IPC1 Personal Assistant servers, each server supports a maximum of 36 media ports (see Table 1-2). If you use the servers as failover servers for each other, you must reduce the media ports on each server to no more than 18. So, if server A goes down, server B will take over the 18 ports of server A, and server B will temporarily run with 36 ports (its original 18 plus the 18 of server A).

Cisco Personal Assistant 1.4 Installation and Administration Guide

 

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Cisco Systems 1.4 manual Creating a Personal Assistant Server Cluster With Failover
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1.4 specifications

Cisco Systems 1.4 represents a notable advancement in the company's portfolio of networking solutions, emphasizing enhanced performance, security, and scalability. This version is designed to cater to the changing landscape of networking demands, particularly in hybrid and cloud environments.

One of the standout features of Cisco Systems 1.4 is its enhanced security protocols. With cyber threats on the rise, Cisco has integrated advanced security measures, including end-to-end encryption and improved threat detection measures. These features help organizations safeguard their data against breaches and unauthorized access, a critical concern in today’s digital age.

Another significant characteristic of Cisco Systems 1.4 is its support for advanced network automation. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), this version automates routine networking tasks, such as configuring and monitoring network devices. This not only streamlines operations but also reduces human error, thereby enhancing overall network reliability and efficiency.

The addition of new collaboration tools is another highlight. Cisco's commitment to facilitating seamless communications is evident, with improved features that enable better integration of voice, video, and messaging services. The unified communications experience allows businesses to foster teamwork, regardless of location.

Moreover, Cisco Systems 1.4 supports the latest networking technologies, including Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). These technologies enable greater flexibility in network management, allowing organizations to adapt quickly to changing requirements and optimize their resources effectively.

Scalability is a key feature in Cisco Systems 1.4, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes. The architecture allows for easy expansion and integration with existing systems, ensuring a smooth transition as organizations grow.

In addition to these technological advancements, Cisco Systems 1.4 boasts a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for IT professionals and enhancing productivity. The intuitive controls and dashboards facilitate quick troubleshooting and management.

In summary, Cisco Systems 1.4 stands out with its robust security features, advanced automation capabilities, seamless collaboration tools, support for modern networking technologies, and superior scalability. Collectively, these characteristics position this version as a formidable solution for modern networking challenges, fostering innovation and efficiency in various industries.
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