Add a Node to an Existing Qumulo Cluster

IN THIS ARTICLE 

Outlines how to add a Qumulo series node to an existing Qumulo on-premise cluster.

REQUIREMENTS

• Cluster running Qumulo Core
• New Qumulo node on-site

DETAILS

Once installed and racked, the process of adding a new Qumulo node is incredibly straightforward. Your existing cluster will auto-discover the new unconfigured node and prompt you to add it in the UI of Qumulo Core.

Update IP Addresses

Before adding a node, ensure that the quantity of persistent (static) IPs available is equal to or greater than the number of nodes you plan to have in your cluster. You will not be able to add a new node to your cluster if there are not enough static IPs available. Reference the IP Failover with Qumulo Core article for additional details on how to update the IP addresses.

Install Qumulo Core

Before adding the node to your cluster, you will need to confirm that the version of Qumulo Core on your new node matches the version currently running on your existing cluster. Follow the instructions provided in the Perform a Clean Install of Qumulo Core article if you need to upgrade the new node to a later version.

If your existing version of Qumulo Core pre-dates any newer Qumulo certified drives that you have received in your new node, an older version of Qumulo Core cannot be installed on the new node. If an attempt is made, the installation will fail and present an "Installation failed" message that includes troubleshooting details on how to use the cluster logs to determine which drives are not expected.

To resolve this compatibility issue, you can:

• Upgrade your existing cluster to the latest version of Qumulo Core and then install the same version on your new node to support the new Qumulo certified drive(s).
• Update the Supported Drive List on your new node to support newer Qumulo-certified drives without requiring a Qumulo Core update. To update the Supported Drive List, reach out to the Qumulo Care team so that we can connect remotely to your cluster and apply the updated Supported Drive List to your new node.

Add the New Node to your Existing Qumulo Cluster

Before joining the node to the cluster, ensure the new node is powered on, running the same version of Qumulo core, and connected to the network.

1. Login to the Qumulo Core Web UI.
2. Hover over Cluster and select Add Nodes.
   
3. Select the unconfigured nodes you wish to add to the existing cluster in the table.
   
   
   
   
4. Click Add Selected Nodes to Cluster.
5. Select Yes to confirm the addition of the selected node(s).
   
   
   NOTE: If you're adding new nodes of a different series, a message appears to indicate that the new model type will be added to your cluster.
   
   
6. A dialog box appears as the node(s) are configured and added to the cluster.
   

Once the new node is configured and added, the Cluster Overview page will appear with a successful confirmation banner at the top. The Usable storage calculation will update with the additional capacity and the newly-configured node will now display in the listing table for the cluster.

NOTE: Existing nodes retain their numbering once the new node is added.

If no unconfigured nodes are discovered, the following message will display on the Add Nodes page.

Make sure the new nodes are powered on, running the same version of Qumulo Core as existing nodes and connected to the network.  Reference the Qumulo Core Upgrades via Web UI article for more info or reach out to Qumulo Care to get the help you need.

RESOLUTION 

You should now be able to successfully add a new Qumulo series node to your existing Qumulo  on-premise cluster.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Qumulo Quick Start Guides

IP Failover with Qumulo Core

Qumulo Core Upgrades via Web UI 

Perform a Clean Install of Qumulo Core

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