POP3 Connector for Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino with Anti-Spam Filter and Anti-Virus Protection: PYTHEAS MailGate

How to run PYTHEAS MailGate on a failover cluster

Since version 2.75, the product can be installed on a failover cluster. In this mode, all configuration data, queue management data, logs etc. are stored in shared cluster storage, and thus synchronized across the nodes of the cluster.

Installation

On the first node

  • We assume that we have a cluster shared volume, such as C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1. Create the folder C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\PYTHEAS\PytheasMailgate.
  • Run the PYTHEAS MailGate setup program. It is recommended to install the regular version on each of the nodes. In a production environment, you should not install the evaluation version of the product. Do not start PYTHEAS MailGate after the setup program completes. If it does, close it.
  • In registry, registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Pytheas\PYTHEAS MailGate, add a string value ConfigPath with the value: C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\PYTHEAS\PytheasMailgate.
  • In v. 3.x: Start the PYTHEAS MailGate Control Panel.
    In v. 2.x: Start the PYTHEAS MailGate Communication Task.
    If the Configuration Wizard starts, close it. Activate the product with your license key.
  • Configure PYTHEAS MailGate. Use the Configuration Program or the Configuration Wizard (you will find a button to start the wizard on the Configuration tab). If you copy configuration data from another computer, be sure to copy them to the C:\ClusterStorage\Volume1\PYTHEAS\PytheasMailgate folder.
  • Install the Pytheas MailGate service.
  • In v. 2.x: Exit the Communication Task.
  • Make an inbound Windows-firewall rule for Program Files (x86)\PytheasMailgate\PMailGat.exe (allow TCP connections / any port).

On the other node(s)

  • Run the PYTHEAS MailGate setup program.
  • In v. 3.x: Start the PYTHEAS MailGate Control Panel. If the Configuration wizard starts, close it. Install the Pytheas MailGate service.
    In v. 2.x: Start Communication Task. If the Configuration Wizard starts, close it. Install the Pytheas MailGate service. Exit the Communication Task.
  • Make an inbound firewall rule for Program Files (x86)\PytheasMailgate\PMailGat.exe (allow TCP connections / any port).

Configure the PYTHEAS MailGate Clustered Service

  • With the Failover Cluster Manager on the first node, configure a new Service or Application:
    Select the type: Generic Service,
    Select the Pytheas MailGate service,
    Name the new service (for ex.: Pmg-Cluster), and configure an IP address for the service.
    No storage is necessary
    In the next step, configure registry replication for SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Pytheas\PYTHEAS MailGate.
  • Once the failover cluster setup wizard is terminated, the new service should go online.

In Production...

Configure PYTHEAS MailGate

  • Run the PYTHEAS MailGate Control Panel or Configuration Program on either node.
  • License key activation and storing of the Support Contract ID must be done on the active node.
  • If you configure PYTHEAS MailGate to handle outgoing mail: have the Microsoft Exchange Send Connector send outgoing mail to the clustered service name (Pmg-Cluster in our example).

Monitoring

  • Start the PYTHEAS MailGate Remote Control Program on either node, or anywhere else. On the Preferences page, link to the name of the clustered service (Pmg-Cluster in our example).

Upgrade PYTHEAS MailGate

  • Upgrade PYTHEAS MailGate on the inactive node(s).
  • In the Failover Cluster Manager: move the "clustered service" Pmg-Cluster to another node.
  • Upgrade on the now inactive node.