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How to install multiple node servers

This document explains how to install a second node.js server (for scalability purposes) on an existing installation. The additional server shares the same MongoDB repository.

This procedure describes a Windows installation, but the information can be used for any operating system on which the X3 web server is usable.

Example

You have a running Syracuse environment on X3ServerA with a MongoDB and an Elasticsearch installed and set.
You want to install a secondary Syracuse server on X3ServerB.
On Server X3ServerB, the Syracuse prerequisites are met (except for the MongoDB and the Elasticsearch installation).

Operation on X3ServerA

Open a cmd window.
Go to the Syracuse installation directory, and type the following commands:

cd syracuse
cd certs_tools
certgen.bat

The last command requires you to enter data and answer some questions:

Select option (1): Create new certificate and private key.
Enter the server name (in our case X3ServerB).
Enter the server name for tcp connection (in our case X3ServerB).
Enter the days of validity (5000 for example).
Enter the passphrase for the new private key.
Reenter the passphrase for the new private key.
Enter the passphrase for the private key of the CA certificate (you need to know this passphrase).
Enter the port of the Syracuse server where you want to transfer the certificate (enter 8124; but you will get an error message because the server is not installed yet).

The following operation will run:

Generate key pair ...
Generate certificate ...
Write private key output/testserver.key ...
Write certificate output/testserver.crt ...
Write public key output/testserver.pem ...
Transfer data to xxxserver:8124 ...
Cannot connect to xxserver: java.net.UnknownHostException: X3ServerB
Press RETURN to continue
Finished

Now you can return to your cmd window and type:

cd output

First, check that x3serverb.crt, x3serverb.key and x3serverb.pem were generated.
Then:

Copy the x3serverb.pem in the runtime keys subfolder.
Copy x3serverb.crt, x3serverb.key AND ca.cacrt on X3ServerB (for example in c:\sage\cert\x3serverb).

Operation on X3ServerB

Start the Syracuse server installation.
On step 4, choose the new installation option.
On step 5, enter the installation path.
On Step 7, specify X3ServerA in the Host Name field and the correct port for MongoDB. An information message will appear : This MongoDB is used and already has a database with the name ‘syracuse’ ! Do you want to continue?
Click the 'OK' button to validate.
On Step 8, specify X3ServerA in the Host Name field and the port for Elasticsearch.
On Step 9, specify the path where you copied the certificate files (for example in c:\sage\cert without x3serverb at the end !).
IMPORTANT : Clear the Simplified certificates installation for a single server.
Validate all the steps after and check for errors in the log :

Server name X3SERVERB
Error: Nanny already installed Error: Nanny already installed
  at start (C:\Sage\Syracuse\syracuse\bin\node_modules\syracuse-load\lib\balancer.js:512:12)
  at __streamline$run (C:\Sage\Syracuse\syracuse\bin\node_modules\streamline\lib\fibers-fast\runtime.js:56:14)

Disregard this error.

Before executing the next command, ensure that X3ServerB is running the same version as X3ServerA.
If the X3ServerA is on version 6 + hotfix, we need to install the hotfix on X3ServerB.
Open a cmd window. You must be connected with the same account that runs the node.js server.
Go to the Syracuse installation directory, and type the following commands (enter the passphrase for the new private key you entered when generating the certificate): cd syracuse passphrase.cmd “passphrase”

Your are now able to connect to your additional server.

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