Planning multiple-release clusters
If you are creating a cluster that includes nodes at multiple cluster versions, then certain steps are required when you create the cluster.
By default, the current cluster version is set to the potential cluster version of the first node added to the cluster. This approach is appropriate if this node is at the lowest version level to be in the cluster. However, if this node is at a later version level, then you cannot add nodes with a lower version level.
Note: If you are using the IBM® PowerHA® SystemMirror® for i licensed program, it is required on all systems within the cluster.
For example, consider the case where a two-node cluster is to be created. The nodes for this cluster follow:
| Node identifier | Release | Potential cluster version |
|---|---|---|
| Node A | V7R1 | 7 |
| Node B | V7R2 | 8 |
The cluster must be created from Node A so that the current cluster version is set to 7.