This section includes step-by-step instructions for the use cases setting up a two node cluster, setting up a three node cluster, and extending a cluster from n to n+1 nodes.

Setting Up a Two Node Cluster

To set up a two node cluster from scratch, do the following:

  1. Make a fresh install according to the normal installation procedure or restore a node from backup.
  2. If possible, generate all keys in the HSM that will be used during the installations life-time to avoid manual key synchronization later.
  3. Go to the Cluster subtab Configuration on the initial node in the Hardware Appliance WebConf and add a connection to where the next node’s Application Interface will be.
  4. From the Cluster subtab Configuration, download the setup bundle for the second node. 
  5. Factory  reset the second node and connect to the web based installer
  6. Select Connect to cluster and upload the setup bundle.
  7. Start the installation procedure.
  8. After installation completes, you should be able to manage the new node using the same credentials as the first one.

If the first node has been used for a while before the second node was connected, you might need to wait until the data is fully synchronized, even after the cluster connection has completed. When the Local node state in the WebConf’s Status tab shows Active, the node is ready for use.

Setting Up a Three Node Cluster

To set up a three node cluster from scratch, do the following:

  1. Make a fresh install according to the normal installation procedure or restore a node from backup.
  2. If possible, generate all keys in the HSM that will be used during the installations life-time to avoid manual key synchronization later.
  3. Go to the Cluster subtab Configuration on the initial node in the Hardware Appliance WebConf and add the two connections to where the next nodes’ Application Interface will be.
  4. From the Cluster subtab Configuration, download the setup bundle for the two new nodes.
  5. Factory reset the second node and connect to the web based installer
  6. Select Connect to cluster and upload the setup bundle for node 2.
  7. Start the installation procedure.
  8. After the installation completes, you should be able to manage the new node using the same credentials as the first one.
  9. Even if a full synchronization between the first and second node is still running at this point, you can proceed with the cluster connection of the third node.
  10. Factory reset the third node and connect to the web based installer
  11. Select Connect to cluster and upload the setup bundle for node 3.
  12. After the installation completes, you should be able to manage the new node using the same credentials as the first one.

If the first node has been used for a while before the two new nodes were connected, you might need to wait until the data is fully synchronized, even after the cluster connection has completed. When the Local node state in the WebConf’s Status tab shows Active, a node is ready for use.

Extending a Cluster from n to n+1 Nodes

To extend a cluster from two to three nodes, do the following:

  1. Go to the Cluster subtab Configuration on all of the existing (n) nodes in the Hardware Appliance WebConf and add a connection to where the next node’s Application Interface will be.
  2. From the same subtab on one of the nodes, download the setup bundle for the third node.
  3. Factory reset the new node (3) and connect to the web based installer
  4. Select Connect to cluster and upload the setup bundle.
  5. Start the installation procedure.
  6. After the installation completes, you should be able to manage the new node (n+1) using the same credentials as the previous node(s).

When the Local node state in the WebConf’s Status tab shows Active, the new node is ready for use.