FPP Backup Setup

[atdj1997]

Hi All

Im thinking about changing a large pixel install in a Museum to a Pi-FPP instead of a unreliable PC.
Does any have sucess running multiple FPP´s as a Main/Backup solution, sending data to the same controllers? 
Thinking of having a external source just to trig both FPP instances at the same time, so they run totally on their own... With OSC or something like that. 

- I guess i can use the sACN Priority (0-200), and have a main FPP instance with a priority higher than a backup.
But what about sync, i want these to FPP devices to run in some sort of Sync, buth without the Master/Remote setup - as i want the setup to keep running, even if one or another FPP fails.
Controllers is some DigiDot C4, so i can do the merge in there.

Cheers.!!!

[colonelcline]

I'm just a Christmas user and a developer should answer this. What I just tested on my 2 Pi Master and remote setup:
Master playing a Playlist
Remote is checking for errors (will "fill in for errors)
I turn the power off the Master
The remote continued playing until the end of the sequence then stopped.
Says its playing the song but isn't.

So remote did not take over the schedule.  Would be nice in my setup but some users have more than 1 backup.
Could be a way but I cannot answer.

[colonelcline]

I'll add, I've never had a Pi (3,4, 5) fail. Someone unplugging or tripping over it, yes. 

[JonD]

I am not aware of any redundancy in FPP.   FPP has an excellent backup system, but will not run as a hot spare. 

You will not likely be able to send the same data from multiple controllers to one string of lights.  You would get undesirable results on the lights.  Flickering, some lights not working, a ton of glitches.  Many people will accidentally feed from xLights AND FPP, or double data, and it causes a lot of issues. 

[jnealand]

I maintain a backup master Pi by always uploading to both masters from FPPConnect, still have to manually maintain the playlists and schedules.  The backup Pi has the schedule off (inactive) but the schedule must still be there ready to go or you have rebuild before switching to the backup.  That being said I have never needed to switch over.  My master pi is usually powered on and available 24/7 365 days per year.

[JonD]

I have a complete spare sitting in box off-line downstairs ready to go.  The spare is the at the same name and IP of the original device.  Plan would be to replace with spare, and update with fpp-connect.  In the past, I had a spare on-line, but in my case it was easier to update an off-line spare with FPP connect, than it was to adjust the IPs and schedules.  Plus, the most common failure is SD cards, and this way I could just steal the one out of the spare.  I have never had the need to use it, but I have needed a spare controller a couple of times.

A reminder for everyone to backup everything up and keep a couple of spare SD cards in the drawer for a rainy day.  It is not a matter of if, and simply a matter of when it is going to fail.  Everyone needs a disaster recovery plan if something happens.  It can be hard getting replacement parts in the middle of the season.