ETC Cobalt Family v7.0.0 - Manual (Page 209)

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Network - Server/Backup
Backup consoles/Light Servers are used when it is imperative that control of the lighting system be
maintained in the event of a failure of the server. A Backup sends no data to the lighting system until
it has activated and taken over by converting to a server (either manually or automatically due to loss
of communication with a server).
It is possible to use a crossed cable with just two consoles. But if you are using Server and Backup,
you should use a Switch AND have a Net3 gateway (or similar) that is taking care of the output of
DMX. They can be connected as Server/Backup, or Server/Client. The client can be used as a separate
workstation in parallel with the Server, while the Backup is only used for programming once
converted to Server.
Server/Backup
The first system to boot will become the Server unless it has been set up differently.
See
Network - Backup Setup .
NOTE
If two Servers are active on the same network for some reason, the header
bar at the top of all screens will show "Warning: Dual Servers Online".
A message is shown in the Message area (bottom of screens) on the Server system when a Backup or
Client is started. The system that is started as Backup now displays an information message about this.