A network with geographic redundant System Manager instances operates in the following different modes:

An element is an instance of an Avaya Aura® network entity. System Manager manages elements such as a Session Manager or Communication Manager server in the Avaya Aura® network.

The primary System Manager is always in the active mode unless you turn off the server. In failback cases, the primary System Manager might not be in the active mode. The normal mode of operation of the secondary System Manager is the standby mode. In a sunny day scenario, the primary System Manager manages all elements of the Avaya Aura® solution, including Session Manager. The secondary System Manager runs a limited set of services.

Geographic Redundancy-aware elements are those elements of the Avaya Aura® solution that support the Geographic Redundancy feature, such as Session Manager or Branch Session Manager instances.

Geographic Redundancy-unaware elements are those elements of the Avaya Aura® solution that do not support the Geographic Redundancy feature, such as Session Manager or Branch Session Manager instances running releases earlier than 6.3.