NextGen Knowledge Center

Set Up Automatic Failover

Automatic failover enables you to move an application to a standby server during a failure.

Before you begin

You need an unused IP address to assign as the database virtual IP (VIP) address. This VIP must be in the same IP network as the appliances. You should ensure it's not already in use on your network, for example, by using the ping command and verifying you receive no responses. If you have any questions, contact your network administrator or NextGen Healthcare Support.

After setting up replication, you can set up automatic failover for both the primary system and the standby system.

  1. Set up the first appliance (the primary).
    1. Go to Services > Postgres > Replication.
    2. Select Set up Auto Failover.
    3. Enter your database VIP.
    4. Select Enable. The window reloads automatically.
    5. Watch the window to ensure it eventually shows the “Actively managing the VIP” status.
    Auto Failover window

  2. Set up the second appliance (the standby).
    1. Go to Services > Postgres > Replication.
    2. Select Set up Auto Failover.
    3. Enter the same database VIP that you provided on the primary appliance. Leave the default values for the timeout, attempts, and intervals.
    4. Select Enable.
    5. Verify that the window displays the “Monitoring the current VRRP master” status.
    Auto Failover window

You have set up database replication and automatic failover on your primary and secondary Mirth® Appliance by NextGen Healthcare. All transactions committed to the primary are automatically replicated to the standby in near real time. The standby can be used for read-only reporting purposes if desired (to set up access controls, go to Services > Postgres > Database Management). If the primary unit becomes inaccessible, the standby breaks off replication, enters read-write mode, takes over the database VIP, and begins serving clients.