--- title: "Installing a Failover (HA) Server" slug: "installing-a-failover-ha-server" updated: 2025-06-30T16:22:19Z published: 2025-06-30T16:22:19Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Installing a Failover (HA) Server ## Overview This tutorial demonstrates how to install the Decisions platform as a **Failover (HA) Server**. This server type is identical to the Standard Server, except that it is not live until a setting is toggled. Upon installation, this server will add an **** attribute to the settings.xml file that will be set to "**True**" which will prevent all users, except administrators, from logging into the server. In addition, the **keys.dat** and **databaseid.txt** file in the Failover (HA) Server file system must be replaced with the same files from the production environment file system so that it can operate identically in a disaster event. The best use case for this install option is for a Disaster Recovery server that will stand up in an entirely different data center or hosting region. Otherwise, a cluster should be built if a Failover (HA) Server in the same region is desired. For more information, navigate to the[Decisions Disaster Recovery Architecture](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/decisions-disaster-recovery-architecture)article. Important Notes - **Upgrading from v6 to v7?** - Please review the [Upgrading Decisions (v6 to v7)](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/upgrading-decisions-v7-or-below) article for **IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS.** - **It is recommended that the user replicates SQL and the File Storage location when installing a Failover (HA) Server.** - Navigate to the [Deployment and Configuration Options](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/deployment-configuration-options) article for more information on SQL Replication. **Version 7.x .NET Architecture Change:**Versions 7.0.1 - 7.1 require [.NET Core 3.1](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/3.1) Versions 7.2 - 7.9 require [.NET 5](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/5.0) Versions 7.10+ require [.NET 6](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0) **Impact on Upgrades:** - ALL custom libraries will need to be recompiled for the new .NET architecture. - Custom assemblies will need to be re-written. - Modules may require reinstallation or design refactoring. ## Self-Hosted Example **Download Decisions v7.x** Select the desired version from the [Download Decisions](https://releases.decisions.com/Releases/) webpage. 1. Right-click the downloaded **DecisionsServerInstaller** application to**Run as administrator**. 2. Select **Install**for the **Installation Type**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_11h28_13.png) 3. Then, read through the **Decisions Software License Agreement****and**click the **Next** button. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_11h28_37.png) 4. Next, select the appropriate **Installation Type**. For this example, **Failover (HA) Server** is selected. Once done, click **Next.**![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_11h29_29.png) 5. The Advanced Settings are listed and described in the table beneath the image below. Once done, click **Next. Show Advanced SettingsThis guide progresses with the Advanced Settings option checked to show customization of all installation options.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_11h30_28.png)** | Setting Name | Description | | --- | --- | | **Use Settings File** | enables a field to select a previously saved settings file | | **Install Emergency Password Reset Tool** | installs a command prompt tool for resetting user passwords | | **Change Default System Administrator, Username and Password** | changes the default administrator email and/or password (admin@decisions.com / admin) | | **Change Destination Folder for Installation** | divert from the default install folder, C:\Program Files\Decisions | | **Pick Alternate Source** | select an alternate installation file source via URL or file directory | | **Show the Service Settings** | customizes the Service account username and password | | **Allow Dynamic Resource Loading (Local Module)** | allows the system to store and load sources from local modules | | **Skip DB Connection Testing -****Not Recommended** | skips the database connection test at the end of the installation wizard | 6. Continue the installation as demonstrated in the [Installation Guide](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/installation-guide?highlight=installation-ms-sql). Following a successful installation, reopen the Decisions installer, and click EDIT SETTINGS.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_12h15_45.png) 7. In the Settings window, navigate to the **DatabaseConnectString** and ensure the **Initial Catalog** matches the database name used for the primary server.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_12h16_41.png) 8. Then, navigate to the **Offline** attribute and use the drop-down menu to set it to "**True**". Click Save and exit.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1634156570565.png) 9. Lastly, replace the **keys.dat** and **databaseid.txt**files in the Failover (HA) Server file system with the keys.dat and databaseid.txt file from the primary server; the files must be identical in order for the new server to operate as the primary server in a disaster event. For this installation, the files can be found in the **C:\Program Files\Decisions\Decisions Server\Instances\Control** folder.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1634157281682.png)