ETC Quick Guide. Emphasis Backup System. Overview. Preparation for Backup. Note: Note: CAUTION:

E T C

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Q u i c k G u i d e

Emphasis

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Backup System

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Overview

Emphasis Backup System (supported in v2.0.1 software and above) involves two separate Emphasis Servers running on the same network. One server is set as the Master, which is the primary interface for running/programming the show. The other is set as the Backup Server which duplicates any saved show files, as well as tracks the playback of any show.

Expression/Insight Facepanel Users - Though it is preferable to have separate facepanels for each Emphasis Server, it is possible to run Emphasis backup with only one Expression or Insight facepanel. Use of the A/B keyswitch allows you to alternate facepanel control between active Emphasis Servers.

Preparation for Backup

Some changes must be made to system settings in order to prepare the system for backup. IP Addressing, System ID, Device names, and Facepanel configuration are all involved in Backup System Setup.

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Express facepanel, as it has no keyswitch.

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and ETCNet2™ addressing. If you are unsure about the backup setup process, it is highly recommended that you contact ETC Technical Services for assistance.

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To prevent any System ID or IP Address errors, we recommend that you disconnect your servers from the network throughout configuration. This will eliminate the possibility of servers conflicting.

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Emphasis Backup System

Server Setup

Prepare for Multiple Servers on the Network

Running multiple Emphasis Servers on the same network can cause issues within the ETCNet2 structure. Specifically, problems within “Time Service” and “BootP” service may arise.

“BootP” is a base-level network service that provides IP Address management to devices on your ETC Network. “Time Service” synchronizes time on all ETC network devices. Multiple copies of either service are redundant. Therefore, to reduce network traffic, we recommend disabling these services on all but one Emphasis server. You must restart your Emphasis Server after disabling these services for the changes to take effect.

Disable ETC PCTime Service on all but one Emphasis Servers:

Step 1: Login to your Emphasis Server as System Manager. If you are already logged on to Emphasis as the Emphasis User, exit Emphasis and login as System Manager.

Step 2: Press á + R to launch the Run Menu. This will bring up a window titled “Run”. Step 3: In the “Open” field, type “services.msc” and click OK. This will open the Services

Control Panel and the Services (Local) list.

Step 4: Scroll through the list to find “ETC PCTime Service”. Right-click on this and select “Properties”. This will open the Time Service Properties window.

Step 5: In the “Startup Type:” field, use the scroll-down menu to change the setting from “Automatic” to “disabled”.

Step 6: Click OK. Continue from the Services Window to disable Bootp Service as well (see next section).

Disable ETC Bootp Service on all but one Emphasis Servers:

Step 1: Login to your Emphasis Server as System Manager. If you are already logged on to Emphasis as the Emphasis User, exit Emphasis and login as System Manager.

Step 2: Press á + R to launch the Run Menu. This will bring up a window titled “Run”. Step 3: In the “Open” field, type “services.msc” and click OK. This will open the Services

Control Panel and the Services (Local) list.

Step 4: Scroll through the list to find “ETCBootpService”. Right-click on this and select “Properties”. This will open the Bootp Service Properties window.

Step 5: In the “Startup Type:” field, use the scroll-down menu to change the setting from ‘Automatic” to “disabled”.

Step 6: Click OK.

Step 7: Close out of the Services Window and restart your Emphasis Server.

Backup System IP Addresses

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Change the Emphasis Server IP address:

Step 1: Login to your Emphasis Server as System Manager. If you are already logged on to Emphasis as the Emphasis User, exit Emphasis and login as System Manager.

Step 2: Press á + E to launch Windows Explorer. This will bring up a window titled “My Computer”.

Step 3: Along the left hand side of the window is an icon titled, “My Network Places”. Right-click this icon and select Properties from the popup window. This will open a window titled, “Network Connections.”

Step 4: In this window, right-click the icon titled, “Local Area Connection” and select

Properties. This will open a window titled, “Local Area Connection Properties”. Step 5: Click to select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click the button labeled

Properties. This will open a window titled, “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.”

Step 6: Make sure that “Use the following IP Address” and “Use following DNS server address” are enabled (checked).

Default entries are:

• IP Address . . . 10.101.130.101 • Subnet . . . 255.255.0.0 • Gateway . . . 10.101.130.101 Step 7: Change the IP Address and Gateway on your servers to

• Master IP Address . . . 10.101.130.102 • Master Gateway. . . 10.101.130.102 • Backup IP Address . . . 10.101.130.103 • Backup Gateway . . . 10.101.130.103 Step 8: Click OK and proceed with the normal restart/shut down procedure. Step 9: Repeat this process with your other Emphasis Server.

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separate Emphasis system in a different venue, but on the same network) • If your Emphasis system is running on a non-dedicated ETC network (i.e.

network has other non-ETC equipment running on it)

If either of these situations applies to your Emphasis System, please do not proceed with the steps below. Contact your network administrator or ETC Technical Services before altering your IP address.

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Backup System ID

The System ID identifies the servers to other ETC equipment on the network. Each Emphasis Server (Master and Backup) must have its own unique System ID.

Your Emphasis Servers default to a System ID setting of “0”. Therefore you must change the System ID on at least one of your Emphasis servers. However, we recommend changing the System ID on both servers.

System ID must be a number between 0 and 254.

Set Backup System ID:

Step 1: With both servers disconnected from the main network, turn on your servers. Step 2: Login to your Emphasis Server as System Manager. If you are already logged on

to Emphasis as the Emphasis User, exit Emphasis and login as System Manager. Wait for Emphasis to load.

Step 3: Minimize Emphasis and then maximize the Emphasis Console application. Step 4: In the Options menu, click System Id.

Step 5: Enter the new System ID in the “System” field. The number entered must be different from other servers (default 0) and between 0-254.

Step 6: Minimize Emphasis Console and then maximize Emphasis. Step 7: In the Emphasis Mode Options menu, click Application Options. Step 8: Click the Emphasis tab.

Step 9: Type the new System ID in the “System” field. Be sure this number matches the number entered in the Emphasis Console application.

Step 10: Click OK and proceed with normal restart procedures. Step 11: Repeat this process with your other Emphasis Server

Server Names

For ease of identification, it is recommended that you give the Master and Backup Servers unique names. This can be done in Emphasis Console from the same window used to change the System ID. SeeBackup System ID above.

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Set Backup EDMX Priority

In the event that the Master Server fails, the Backup Server must override any EDMX signal that may still be coming from the Master. Therefore, it is necessary to set the Backup Server to a higher EDMX Priority (Lower number) than the Master Server Priority. When in backup, the Backup Server is EDMX disabled until activated or switched to Stand Alone or Master mode.

To change the EDMX Priority of your Emphasis Control System:

Step 1: In the Emphasis mode Setup menu, click IO.

Step 2: In the “EDMX Priority” field, enter the new value. This may be any value between 1-20. The default value is “10”. Be sure the number entered is lower (higher priority) than the Master Server.

Step 3: Click OK.

Set Master Server to Master Mode

If you have completed the above steps, you may now activate both servers on the main network. You must set your intended Master Server to Master Mode.

Set Master Mode on intended Master Server:

Step 1: In the Emphasis Mode Setup Menu, click System Backup.

Step 2: Click to select “Master”.

Step 3: Click OK. Your server will now run in Master Mode.

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Set Backup Server to Backup Mode

Once you have prepared both servers as indicated above, you are ready to begin backing up your Master Server.

Set Backup Mode on intended Backup Server:

Step 1: In the Emphasis Mode Setup menu, click System Backup.

Step 2: Click to select “Backup”.

Step 3: In the “System ID to Backup” field, type the System ID of the Master Server. Step 4: Click OK. Your Backup Server will enter backup mode, and will display its

backup status on the monitor screen.

Facepanel Setup

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Step 1: Power up or reboot the Facepanel.

Step 2: When the prompt appears at startup, press [1][2][3] to enter the Configuration menu.

Step 3: Press [Enter] to view the ETCNet2 menu. Step 4: Press [

v

Default entries are:

• IP Address . . . 10.101.45.101 • Gateway . . . 10.101.45.101 Step 5: Change the IP Address and Gateway on one of your facepanels to

• IP Address . . . 10.101.45.102 • Gateway . . . 10.101.45.102

Step 6: Press [S8] to save your settings and exit the ETCNet2 configuration screen. Step 7: Press [S8] to save your settings and exit the main configuration screen.

Facepanel A/B Switch Configuration

You can configure your Expression or Insight facepanel’s A/B keyswitch to allow you to connect the Facepanel to one of two available Emphasis Servers. Each Emphasis Server must have a unique System ID to operate on the same network. Use the Facepanel’s Configuration menu to assign System ID’s to the A and B sides of the switch.

Configure the Facepanel’s A/B keyswitch:

Step 1: Power up or reboot the Facepanel.

Step 2: When the prompt appears at startup, press [1][2][3] to enter the Configuration menu.

Step 3: Press [Enter] to view the ETCNet2 menu.

Step 4: Press [Enter] to select “Emphasis Server System ID A”, the System ID for the “A” side of the switch.

Step 5: Using the numeric keypad, enter the System ID you want to connect to when the key is turned to the A side (left) of the switch and press [Enter]. Alternatively, press [–] [Enter] to display the Processor Select screen when the switch is turned to “A”.

Step 6: Press [

v

Step 7: Using the numeric keypad, enter the System ID you want to connect to when the key is turned to the B side (right) of the switch and press [Enter]. Alternatively, press [–] [Enter] to display the Processor Select screen when the switch is turned to “B”.

Step 8: Press [S8] to save your settings and exit the ETCNet2 configuration screen.

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to the previously stored values, do not press [S8]. Simply turn the facepanel power off and on again. The previous settings will be restored.

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Running in Backup Mode

You may power up your Emphasis Backup system in any order. It does not matter in what order or how much time elapses between turning on the systems.

While running two servers in a backup system in normal operation all programming and playback must be done from the Master Server. A copy of the show file is saved on the Backup Server. The Backup Server receives the show file any time you load or save a show file.

Captured channels are not mimicked in Backup. Parked dimmers/channels are saved with the show file, therefore they will also be parked on Backup.

Playback in Backup

The Backup Server will mimic any playback action. As you play back your show, the Backup Server will keep track of the playback list. Therefore, the Backup Server, when activated, can continue playback where the Master left off.

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data during programming is only accomplished when show files are saved.

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What To Do If Your Master Server Fails

Switching over to the Backup Server is not automatic. You must notice that the Master has failed and then manually activate it.

To prepare you for the unlikely event that your Master Server fails, be sure you fully understand and can perform the following procedures. During show playback, time will be precious and you should have a firm grasp of these procedures to ensure a smooth transition to backup.

If the Master Server fails, the text on the Backup Server screen will change to “Trying to Back up System ID ___”. At this point, you should activate the Backup Server.

If You are Running Backup with Only One Facepanel

Switch to Backup Server:

Step 1: Move to the Backup System server. If you are using a KVM switch, switch it over to the Backup Server.

Step 2: Using the mouse and the virtual facepanel, click [Stage], then [Blind], then

[Setup]. These three buttons must be clicked within 1.5 seconds of each other. Backup will take control of the system.

Step 3: You can use the mouse and virtual facepanel on the activated Backup Server to continue to play back your show. If you have an Expression or Insight facepanel with a properly configured keyswitch, you can key over to System B on the facepanel and use it for continued show playback.

Step 4: Continue to use the Backup Server for playback until such time as you can safely assess the cause of the Master Server failure.

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However, it is possible to activate backup from your single Expression/Insight Facepanel. To do so, turn the keyswitch on your Expression Facepanel over to

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Emphasis Backup System

If You are Running Backup with Two Facepanels:

Switch to Backup Server:

Step 1: Move to the Backup System Facepanel.

Step 2: On the facepanel, press [Stage], then [Blind], then [Setup]. These three buttons must be clicked within 1.5 seconds of each other. Backup will take control of the system.

Step 3: You can continue to playback your show from either the Backup Facepanel or from the backup Virtual Facepanel.

Step 4: Continue to use the Backup Server for playback until such time as you can safely assess the cause of the Master Server failure.

Returning Your System to Backup

After you have assessed and corrected the failure of the Master Server, you must return the system to its backup state. The easiest way to do this is to simply restart your Emphasis Backup Server. However, you can also follow the procedure below.

Return to Backup Server to Emphasis Backup mode:

Step 1: In the Emphasis Mode Setup menu, click System Backup

Step 2: Click to select “Backup”.

Step 3: Ensure the “System ID to Backup” field displays the System ID of the Master Server.

Step 4: Click OK. Your Backup Server will enter backup mode, and will display its backup status on the monitor screen.

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assigned unless you activate the Backup system ([Stage][Blind][Setup]); after which, you can reconfigure the backup as a Master or Stand Alone Server.

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If you have edited your show from the Backup Server, you have two options for transferring your edits to the Master Server:

• Save your edited show file from the Backup Server to external media (CD or memory stick) and then load the show file from the save device onto your original Master Server. After saving to the Master Server, you may return to your original backup mode.