ProVide Cluster runs two or more ProVide Servers together as a single service. Users see one system, while traffic is shared across nodes and configuration, users, permissions, links, and certificates stay in sync automatically.
The result is higher capacity, built-in redundancy, and the ability to take a server out of service without taking the service down. Add one or two ProVide Gateways and the cluster also gets intelligent load balancing, health monitoring, and a secure single entry point for external traffic.
With two Gateways, ProVide updates both Gateways and nodes without interrupting the service. Clustering was introduced in ProVide release 2026-04 (Iron).
A single file server is a single point of failure. If it goes down for a crash, a patch, or a reboot, your transfers stop. ProVide Cluster removes that risk by running the service across two or more nodes, so one node can fail or be taken offline while the others keep serving traffic.
Two or more ProVide nodes work together and stay in sync automatically: users, groups, permissions, sharing links, certificates, and settings. If one node goes down, the others continue serving traffic. Add a Gateway in front and connections are distributed across nodes based on real-time load, health checks, and sticky sessions.
ProVide nodes run on Windows Server, physical, virtual, or cloud-based. ProVide Gateways run on Windows or Linux, and they do not need to match the operating system of the nodes. You can place gateways in a DMZ or a separate data center while the nodes stay on a protected internal network.
You configure clustering inside the ProVide admin interface. Install ProVide on each node, create the cluster on one node and join the others, then add one or two Gateways in front. Configuration syncs automatically from that point on. A basic two-node cluster takes about an hour to set up.
ProVide Cluster turns several ProVide Servers into one resilient service. It is built for organizations where the file transfer service is business-critical and downtime is not an option.
Behind a single address, the cluster shares connections across nodes, keeps every node's configuration identical, and fails over automatically when a node becomes unavailable. You can scale horizontally by adding nodes instead of buying one larger server, and you can take any node offline for maintenance without your users noticing.
Paired with two ProVide Gateways, the cluster updates itself one component at a time, with no maintenance window and no administrator on standby. The service stays available throughout.
ProVide's clustering scales with your needs. You can start with nodes only and add Gateways when the use case calls for it.
Two or more ProVide nodes work together. Configuration is synchronized automatically: users, groups, permissions, sharing links, certificates, and settings. If one node goes down, the others continue serving traffic. Updates are scheduled manually, one node at a time.
A ProVide Gateway is added in front of the cluster. The Gateway handles all external traffic (HTTPS, SFTP) and distributes connections across nodes based on real-time load, health checks, and sticky sessions. Only the Gateway is exposed to the internet, so the ProVide nodes can run on a protected internal network. At this level the Gateway itself is a single point of failure.
A second Gateway removes the single point of failure in front and unlocks fully automated rolling updates. ProVide updates one Gateway at a time, then one node at a time, and active sessions are allowed to finish before each restart. The service stays available throughout, with no maintenance window required.
ProVide Cluster is licensed per node, with an unlimited option for larger deployments. Gateways are licensed separately, so you only pay for the level of resilience you actually run.
€299 / node / yr
Per ProVide node. Choose this when you run a defined number of nodes.
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Unlimited cluster nodes for one organization. Choose this when you do not want to count nodes in procurement.
€599 / instance / yr
Per Gateway instance. Add one for load balancing, or two for zero-downtime updates and no single point of failure.
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Unlimited Gateways for one organization.
You set up clustering inside the ProVide administration interface. Clustering is not a separate download, it is a capability you turn on across your ProVide nodes, so you need ProVide running first, either a trial or an active license.
Each node needs a ProVide MAXI license or higher, plus a Cluster license (one per node, or a Cluster Unlimited license). Install ProVide on each node, create the cluster on one node, and join the others. Configuration syncs automatically from there. To add load balancing and failover at the front, install one or two ProVide Gateways and connect them from the same admin interface. Don't have ProVide yet? Start a trial, then build your cluster from the admin area.
Do you need help to install or set up ProVide?
what could we support you with within 10 coupons (hours)? For example, Connecting ProVide to existing AD and configuration of home folders for AD users via ProVide or configuration and verification of passive connections and connection with nested AD groups and user-specific home folders.
This SLA is about response time and availability with regards to prioritized bug fixing and support; requested support hours are invoiced monthly in arrears or by purchasing corresponding specialist coupons.
This SLA is about response time and availability with regards to prioritized bug fixing and support; requested support hours are invoiced monthly in arrears or by purchasing corresponding specialist coupons.
High availability clustering lets you run two or more ProVide Servers as one service, so the service keeps running even if a node fails or is taken offline. ProVide shares traffic across nodes and keeps users, permissions, links, and certificates in sync automatically. Add one or two ProVide Gateways for load balancing, health monitoring, and a single secure entry point. Clustering was introduced in ProVide release 2026-04 (Iron).
You set it up from the ProVide admin interface. Install ProVide on each node, open Cluster Configuration on the first node and create a new cluster, then join the other nodes using the generated join password. Synchronization of users, permissions, certificates, and settings starts automatically. To add load balancing and failover, install one or two ProVide Gateways and connect them from Gateway Configuration. A basic two-node cluster takes about an hour.
Rolling updates upgrade an entire cluster without taking the service offline. ProVide updates one Gateway at a time, then one node at a time, and lets active sessions finish before each component restarts. New connections are routed to whatever is currently available. Rolling updates require two ProVide Gateways and at least two nodes, and run automatically with no administrator on standby.
No. ProVide Cluster keeps each node’s configuration and data in sync automatically, so you do not need a shared storage array. When you add one or two ProVide Gateways, the Gateway also acts as the load balancer, so you do not need a separate appliance like F5 or NLB in front of the cluster.
The other nodes keep serving traffic with no manual intervention. If you run a Gateway in front, it detects the unhealthy node through health checks and stops sending new connections to it, while existing sessions on healthy nodes continue. When the failed node comes back, it rejoins the cluster and catches up on any configuration changes automatically.
Yes, clustering is a paid add-on. Each node needs a ProVide MAXI license or higher, plus a Cluster license (one per node, or a Cluster Unlimited license for larger deployments). Gateways are licensed separately, one per Gateway or a Gateway Unlimited license. See the pricing page for current options.
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For the ultimate experience of ProVide’s features and functions,
we recommend choosing the MAXI License.
