Add Gen5 to existing Gen4 cluster

You would need to replace the RPAs w/ the new GEN5s using the RPA Replacement wizard and then use the Add New RPA wizard to add the Gen4s RPAs back in as RPA3 and 4. Make sure to follow CCA process

thx

Hi,

I have to expand a 4 node cluster to a 6 nodes cluster by adding 2 new GEN5 nodes. I was wondering what happens if we add the new GEN5 nodes as node 5 & 6 and not as node 1 and 2.

Thanks,

Sachin

This will work fine. Running Gen5 RPAs as RPAs 1 & 2 is a best practice recommendation.

There is one small little problem here.   If the RPA1 and RPA2 is replaced with Gen5 so it mean the Gen5 will take over the WWN of the Gen4.   This may become an issue if you want to add the Gen4 back as RPA3 and RPA4. 

This is also relevant to RP/SE. With RP/SE you should always choose the WWN spoofing option in order not to break the RP <-> VNX relationship. When you're adding Gen4 RPA back in as RPAs 3 & 4 you can modify their WWNs via an option in boxmgmt to make them unique. You should do this prior to adding them.

I would agree with the exception of RP/SE. If you don't spoof when replacing RPAs with RP/SE it will break!

I think it would be better if it is acceptable, create new zones, do storage registration and lun masking with new WWPN and skip the WWPN spoofing step. This way when you add the original RPA1 & 2 as RPA 3&4 there is less work to do.

To work around this.  I would think the best option is:

1. Power up the Gen5 node first and take note of the WWN.

2. Replace Gen4 with Gen5 node and spoof the WWN.

3. Re-image Gen4 node with clean image.  Replace Gen4 WWN with Gen5 WWN and join to the cluster.