Prepare to add a secondary server

Take these steps before you add a secondary Data Archive server to a Data Archive collective.

1. Obtain permissions for, and access to, the secondary server to be added to the collective, as described in Requirements for running PI Collective Manager.

2. On the new secondary server, install the same version of Data Archive that exists on other members of the collective.

3. On the new secondary server, keep all configuration data, such as file paths, identical between collective members. In particular, ensure that archive names are identical for all collective members.

4. Install the Random and Ramp Soak interfaces on a separate computer (not a Data Archive server) so those interfaces can be used for testing purposes.

   The Random and Ramp Soak interfaces allow you to create simulated data.

   Note: Beginning with PI Server 2018 SP3, the Random and Ramp Soak interfaces are no longer installed as part of a Data Archive installation. Both are available as separate setup kits, and they are free if you have a PI Server license. For more information see documentation for these interfaces.

5. Confirm that all interface nodes can connect to the computer on which the Data Archive is running.

   For more information, see the PI Server installation topic Ensure that all required ports are open.

6. Confirm that PI is running correctly on the new computer by examining data being collected from interfaces and determining that no unexpected error messages appear in the log.