We are in the process of testing RMS 2.0 with a view to deployment late summer. This will consist of a number of POS terminals connecting back to a SQL 2008 database.
We are looking at a possible scenario where the SQL server crashes or goes offline. Microsoft indicates that an Offline database can be set up to cover such instances but I have heard that this is buggy. Has anyone implemented this and have had such experiences? Is it worth implementing? (is a potentially buggy system better than none at all?).
I would love to know how others are implementing their disaster recovery processes.
Thanks!
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I agree with Paul - it makes sense to use them.
Domains, user access rights, different SQL versions between register and db host, the OS and firewalls are the main culprits for offline databases not synchronizing, but if your setup is simple (no domain, registers log on to windows automatically with full admin rights) you should expect no problems with offline databases. If you set up users in windows or on a domain make sure the registry is edited to allow full rights to everyone on the POSUSER entry.
Hope this helps....
Just a point of fact
I support about 95 RMS sites and about 35% have multiple regsiters. I Always setup the Offline database
as you never know when the primary system will fail. It works great most of the time. We still take credit
cards in the offline mode and there is never a big deal closing the blind close batches. As long as the offline
system can get to the internet we keep selling to our customers with little or no problems as usual.
Paul H.
Eastern National
It does work ' sort of ' Here is the problem.
We tested it, and have a had a couple of servers crashes and it works fine.
Thanks Simon,
Have you tested this/had cause to use it (eg server crash)?
Alan
The offline database is easy to setup and to be recommended. As it will help you out if the database goes South.
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