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Preparing the cluster for expansion

To prepare a cluster for expansion, you must add node-locked licenses, verify the system health, back up the cluster's configuration, and generate an AutoSupport message.

  1. Adding node-locked licenses
    If the cluster has features that use node-locked licenses (which entitle only specific nodes to the licensed functionality), you must ensure that node-locked licenses are installed for the new nodes. You should add the licenses before the nodes are joined to the cluster.
  2. Verifying the health of the system
    Before you expand a cluster, you must verify that all components of the cluster are healthy by running several ONTAP CLI commands.
  3. Backing up the cluster configuration
    Before you expand a cluster, you should use advanced privilege to create a backup file to save the cluster configuration information and optionally save the node configurations.
  4. Generating an AutoSupport message about starting expansion
    Immediately before you expand a cluster, you should send an AutoSupport message to indicate that you are about to start the expansion process. The message informs internal and external support staff about expansion and acts as a timestamp for any troubleshooting that might be required later.