G. Archive Pairing

Archive Pairing is an archiving scheme created to put a focus on constant archiving to DVD-RAM. It takes advantage of two recorders to ensure all recorded data is archived. This appendix explains the requirements for Archive Pairing, how to set it up, and how it works.

G.1. Requirements

Archive Pairing requires two recorders. These recorders should have identical hardware profiles and software configurations, and must receive the same call input. Each recorder should have two DVD-RAM drives. The recorders should also be synced to the same time source, for example NTP, and be in the same network with the ability to communicate with each other. Additionally, an appropriate license is required for this functionality but this license is only needed on the “primary” recorder.

  1. VoIP calls can be made on the Internet using a VoIP service provider and standard computer audio systems. Alternatively, some service providers support VoIP through ordinary telephones that use special adapters to connect to a home computer network.

  2. VoIP services convert voice or audio data into a digital signal that travels over a computer network such as a company intranet or the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter.

G.2. Operation

Archive Pairing enables the end-user to archive their data in a more streamlined way than traditional archiving with the benefits of system redundancy. With this feature enabled, recorded information will continue to archive on the next available DVD-RAM drive when a disc fills, the user manually stops archiving on a particular DVD-RAM drive, or if some external factor disrupts normal operation of one of the loggers (such as a power failure). Flow between drives is automatic. The end-user simply has to flip or change out the media as the drives fill for constant coverage.

The functionality works by creating a global archive pointer that both recorders will use to determine what recorded data they should be archiving. The two recorders are referred to as the “primary” recorder and the “secondary” recorder. The distinguishing feature between them is that the primary recorder is where the Archive Pairing license must be entered.

With Archive Pairing enabled, DVD-RAM drives with formatted media will enter a state called “Standby”. This means the drive is ready to archive as part of the Archive Pairing scheme. The first drive of the primary logger will automatically begin archiving at the point that is set to start at for that drive. This will establish the starting point for all archiving. The initial archive pointer should be set before any calls have occurred on the recorder but should also be no earlier than January 1st, 1989. There is no need to set the archive pointer for each drive, just the first one.

When a DVD-RAM media fills, it will automatically begin archiving where it left off on the next drive that is in Standby. Typically, the flow is first drive on the primary recorder, then the second drive on the primary, followed by the first drive secondary, and finally the second drive secondary. If an archive is manually stopped, archiving will automatically resume on the next available Standby archive. In the event that all drives are full, Archive Pairing will wait until new media is inserted, formatted, and enters Standby.

In the event that maintenance is to be performed on one or both of the recorders, a recorder can be shut down and worked on while the other recorder continues archiving from the point that the first recorder is shutdown, and then once the first recorder is back up and running, the same procedure can be performed on the other recorder. This method should be employed when upgrading to future software releases or for any required hardware maintenance.

  1. VoIP calls can be made on the Internet using a VoIP service provider and standard computer audio systems. Alternatively, some service providers support VoIP through ordinary telephones that use special adapters to connect to a home computer network.

  2. VoIP services convert voice or audio data into a digital signal that travels over a computer network such as a company intranet or the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter.

G.2.1. Pairing Setup

Prior to setting up the software, the following items are assumed:

  • Recorders are racked or placed with accordance to site specifications

  • The software on the recorders is the same version on both.

  • A valid license has been entered into the recorder

  • The recorders are networked in the same IP network

  • The recorders have the same call sources attached to both

  • Eventide approved Blu-ray or DVD-RAM media is available

After the above is satisfied, the recorder should be configured to have the dates and time synced to the same external clock. The channels for both recorders should be configured the same and be properly recording. After that has been setup, insert blank Blu-Ray or DVD-RAM discs into the drives. Format them if required.

Before enabling Archive Pairing, the archive pointer of the first drive should be checked to make sure it will catch all calls. To view and set the archive pointer, in Configuration Manager expand the menu item Archiving and click Archive Configuration. Select the DVD-RAM 1 device and select the Configure button. On the resulting screen, select the TIME tab and observe the Archive Time. Make sure the date is before any calls have occurred but after 1/1/89. After you have a date/time you are satisfied with, select Save.

After the archive time has been set, add a license for Archive Pairing. A new menu option will become available via Configuration Manager as seen in the following image. The options are also available via the Front Panel Setup menu.

After the archive time has been set, add a license for Archive Pairing. A new menu option will become available via Configuration Manager as can be seen in the following image. The options are also available via the Front Panel Setup menu.

The Host field should contain the IP address of the secondary recorder. The User and Pwd fields should contain information for a valid administrator on the secondary logger. Once that information has been entered, check the Enabled box and click the Save button. The primary recorder will communicate with the secondary recorder to make sure the system is in sync. Drives that are in the state “Idle, blank media” should become “Standby” on both recorders automatically. Archiving should also automatically begin on the first drive of the primary recorder.

Connect to Configuration Manager on the secondary recorder to set the remaining settings. Under Archiving and Archive Configuration, select the first DVD-RAM drive and click Configure. In the resulting window, check the Auto Start box then Save. Do the same for the second DVD-RAM drive.

After Auto Start has been enabled for both DVD-RAM drives, Archive Pairing configuration should be complete. The only thing that should require attention at this point is making sure media is flipped or replaced as needed to keep archived records up to date.