Install node 1 using wildfly 8.1.0 CR5 remove all local servers start it in domain mode, so it runs as the DC use the CLI to deploy an application => the application will end up in the domain/data/content folder as expected. Install node 2 on another machine remove all local servers point it to the DC on node 1 start in domain mode, so it runs as a HC wait a little... stop the node 2, and inspect the local domain/data/content => empty start node 2 again on node 1, with the CLI, deploy a second application inspect node 2 local domain/data/content => the new / 2nd application will have been copied but the original first is still not copied. Whether you start node 2 with or without "--backup" makes no difference. Problem: due to the HC not receiving a full copy of the "content" folder, it is not possible to promote the HC to a DC (when the original DC is down)