Asymmetric or Active/Passive Configuration

In an asymmetric configuration, an application runs on a primary, or master, server. A dedicated redundant server is present to take over on any failure. The redundant server is not configured to perform any other functions. In the following illustration, a database application is moved, or failed over, from the master to the redundant server.

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Asymmetric Failover

This configuration is the simplest and most reliable. The redundant server is on stand-by with full performance capability. If other applications are running, they present no compatibility issues.