Changing the Master Computer

You may occasionally need to change which computer is being used as the Master -- for instance if the previous Master computer isn't working.  This is easy to do, but it's also easy to cause problems if it's not done correctly.  Follow these steps for a clean switch over.

1. At the computer you're going to use as the new Master, do a "Request full database refresh" under the Network functions, to make sure it's fully in sync.  This is assuming of course that the old Master is still functioning.  If not, just make sure that the new Master has what you consider a "good" database on it, e.g. restoring from a backup if necessary.  Actually it's a good idea to do this on all workstations, just don't do them all at once (wait for one to finish and refresh the screen before moving to the next).

2. Make a note of the workstation ID of the one that will be the new Master (See "This workstation's ID" under Network Functions / Network Setup)  This will be the new Master workstation ID.  Also make a note of its IP address (Network Functions / Show IP address(es) for this workstation).  You will need to enter these numbers into all of the other local workstations.

3. Now you're ready to make the switch, which should only be done when nobody else is using the system.  This should only take a couple minutes, not counting any router configuration that might be needed for a remote connection.  Starting with the new Master that you just looked at in step 2, go into Network Setup and change the "Master (server) workstation ID" to the ID # noted in step 2.  Now that the "Master" ID is the same as "This" workstation's ID, that computer is a Master.  At the moment, that means there are 2 computers operating as a Master (and thus they are operating independently -- that's why this needs to be done when nobody is using any of the computers.

4. Now in each of the other workstations (including the old Master, if or when it's functional), go into Network Setup, change the "Master (server) workstation ID" to that same number, and also enter the IP address of the new Master computer (also from step 2).  They should immediately connect to the new Master when you click OK to save the changes.

5. If you're using X-Charge for credit card processing, or Hercules for online reservations, see the notes below.

Also STRONGLY recommended:  Changing the master computer can often result in synchronization issues, especially if the steps are not done perfectly the first time.  Therefore, please perform a Full Network Resynchronization as soon as possible after the new master is configured.  See here for details, but usually you can use the "One-Step" option as long as the new master's data is correct: Full Network Resynchronization.

Important Reminder -- At no time is the "This workstation's ID" number changed on any workstation.  This should never be changed (except for when installing a new computer), because it can cause synchronization problems.

Remote computers -- Once all local workstations are reconfigured as above, any remote computers need to be reconfigured the same way as the local workstations (change the master workstation ID #).  If the new Master is still in the same location (same internet IP) as the old one, then that setting won't change -- but you'll need to reconfigure the router to forward port 6010 to the new Master computer's IP address.  However if you have changed the Master from being at one location to another location (on the internet), then of course the IP address will be different because its internet IP address is different.  If you don't know the internet IP address of the new Master, you can get this through WhatIsMyIP.com (refer to the Networking through the Internet section).   You'll also need to make sure the router(s) in the new Master's location are configured properly to port forward port 6010 to the new Master.

Reverting back to the old Master -- If the old master is now working and needs to become the new master again, you should first configure it as a client (as in step 4 above) and allow it to connect -- this way it will connect to the current master and get synchronized.  Once it's synchronized, go through the same process as before to change the master.

Multiple databases/connections using desktop icons with network settings -- If you have icons set up with specific network settings for connecting to each database, as described here, then you will also need to update the Target of each shortcut accordingly (e.g. new Master's ID and IP address as needed).

X-Charge note -- If you're using X-Charge for credit card processing, then you will also need to contact X-Charge support about changing the master for their software.  (The X-Charge settings should not need to change in Campground Master.)

Hercules note -- If you're using Hercules for online reservations, then you need to change the workstation ID that it polls from (it should always be the master for best functionality).  Go into Maintenance / Online Reservations / Hercules / Hercules Setup, and change the "Workstation ID to poll from" to the Master's ID from step 2 above.  After you change it, restart the old master (if it's still available) and make sure it recognizes the change in Hercules Setup, and then do a Hercules / Request Full Sync from the new master.