Adding TS7785 Clusters to a grid

Edit online

You can upgrade an existing, on-site TS7785 grid by adding a TS7785 cluster. This is referred to as a join. A join is whenever an empty cluster joins an existing cluster or grid with existing data. An empty cluster is one which has not had virtual cartridges inserted. When you join one cluster to a cluster in an existing grid, all clusters in the existing grid are automatically joined.

The following restrictions apply:
  • The joining cluster must not contain any data.
  • The microcode level for the joining cluster must be equal to or later than the microcode level for any existing cluster.
  • The final resulting grid configuration cannot have more than three different microcode levels.
  • If 10 GB Dual Port Optical LW Connection (FC 1047) is installed on the joining cluster, the existing infrastructure must support 10 Gbps grid communications for optimal performance.
Table 1. Join rules
  Joining 1.0.x.x
Existing cluster(s)    
  1.0.x.x Y
GRID - Join Support
Table 2. Supported join scenarios
Type Joining cluster(s) Existing clusters Supported
Join No cloud enabled No cloud enabled Yes
Join Cloud enabled No cloud enabled Yes*
Join No cloud enabled Cloud enabled Yes
Join Cloud enabled Cloud enabled Yes*
Warning: You should NOT mix Cloud-enabled and non-cloud-enabled clusters in the same grid.

Whether performing a join, it is important to note that the actual data does not get copied from one cluster to another. This process creates place holders for all of the virtual cartridges in the final grid. When joining to an existing grid, the process is initiated to a single cluster in the grid and the information is populated to all members of the grid.

Attention:
  • If a join does not complete successfully, it is not sufficient to just clear the online block and return the system to the customer. It is not sufficient to just verify that the VPD has been updated. Contact support for directions on how to continue.
To achieve any of the following upgrades, you must order Grid Enablement (FC 4015) against the TS7785 Server.
Two-cluster TS7785 grid
You can add a new, empty TS7785 Cluster to an existing TS7785 Cluster to create a two-cluster TS7785 grid.
You can combine two existing TS7785 Clusters to create a two-cluster TS7785 grid.