Single Server to Cluster???

[Lozza]

Hi Guys,

Could anybody advise on the following:

I have a single server set up with 20 agents, all outbound and recording all calls. My boss tells me we might be recruiting another 10 agents soon, but my server looks like it's not struggling at all (at least I think). I'm not a Linux/Vicidial expert, just going off the "top" command (CPU usage usually around 20 % with all 20 agents on). Is it too soon to be thinking about a cluster?

I'm using a Dell PowerEdge R210 II.
Intel Xeon E3-1220, 4C/4T, 3.10GHz, 8M Cache, 80W TDP, Turbo
8GB Memory, DDR3, 1333MHz (2x4GB Dual Ranked LV UDIMMs)
1TB, SATA, 3.5-in, 7.2K RPM Hard Drive

Installed:
Version: 2.6-377a | Build: 121019-0520 | Asterisk 1.4.44-vici
No Digium/Sangoma Hardware | No Extra Software After Installation

Thanks in advance

[boybawang]

if your looking into a long term solution and your going to increase agents as time passes by, I recommend you do a cluster installation 1 db server and 1 asterisk server, if ever you need to add another group of agents you can just add another asterisk server. I suggest you use Sandisk Extreme SSD drive 240 on your asterisk servers as they yield very good results at an affordable price

[Lozza]

Thanks for the reply,

OK, I think I'll do as you suggested, so at least I'm not in a pickle when the time comes for more agents.

I have never installed a cluster before, would it be easier to start from scratch install on 2 servers?

Or can I just add an asterisk, server to my existing single server set up, and disable asterisk on the single server...

resulting in one the existing server as a DB server, and one new asterisk server.

[boybawang]

you can use vicibox or scratch either your way start with split server

1db and 1asterisk

[williamconley]

1) Upgrade your present server to the latest SVN before you begin
2) Test it!
3) Back up your DB and everything else if you have any custom scripts/pages
4) Use Vicibox 4.0.2 (vicibox.com) to Add a server to your existing server which would convert your old server to the master of the cluster.

The old server can continue to be used exactly as it was before. And now you can have agents log in to the new server instead via web or phone registry. Or both. You can treat the new server just like the old one, or you can Split the duties (ie: all web on one and all phones registered to the other ...).

We've actually done this with the server In Operation without interrupting services (except the initial upgrade of the original server, that requires a reboot).

The reason for the upgrade is to easily be sure they have the same version of Vicidial. Same day's SVN gives real good odds on the same version. It's actually possible to "force" Vicibox to install your old version instead, but that's more work than it's worth as you end up with extra work and an older version ... missing the newer toys.

And remember to say Thanks to Kumba for Vicibox Redux! It has made life a whole lot easier for lots of folks. (Manually clustering is possible, but not as much fun ...)