the case for a staging server

All Vocera customers holding an enterprise license are allowed to build a lab server for testing purposes within certain guidelines, it's called a staging server. If you look at your original license file and you see these lines you should be entitled:

*** snip
VOCERA_LICENSE:
Staging Server License:
Report Server:
*** end snip

A few things:

• If you just see the "VOCERA_LICENSE" line it means you are probably looking at a standard license (but if you've upgraded from standard to enterprise it might be the wrong copy of the license,.)
  
• If you don't see the staging server key but the "Type Of System:" contains the word "Enterprise" you should contact support.
• If you aren't sure or can't find the file, call Vocera support and ask for a copy of your current license.

One quick side note: if you have a VRS and that line is blank in your license, please make sure you have your license key for it backed up somewhere!

Assuming you see your staging server key in that file, you should do a little background reading in the VOCERA INSTALLATION GUIDE VERSION 4.1 You should find a whole section on what a staging server is, what it's for, and suggestions for deployment architectures for them.

I think you should build a staging server somewhere! I like the "Staging Server connected to Production VLAN" option because it allows for testing badges on the same AP's used in production, but that's just personal preference.

Whatever architecture you choose, this will give you the ability to:

• Restore a production database to the staging server
• Test new settings during the day without effecting end users
• Take your time practicing with service pack updates before requesting a downtime window for patching production servers
  
• Upgrade a VS during business hours and document the process for change control
  
• Perform remediation steps on an offline system to see if they are successful
• Test new versions of anti-virus, backup software, and other third party application additions
  

With that I will rest my case, I hope you can see benefits of having such a device at your disposal. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to post them below!