Before you start expanding a cluster, you must verify the planned configuration, gather the required network information, and add or replace switches, if necessary.
Verifying the planned configuration
Before you expand a cluster, you must ensure the following: the planned configuration is supported, the required licenses exist, the site is ready, the cluster switches support the expansion, and the existing nodes are using the same version of ONTAP 9.
Gathering the required network information
Before you expand a cluster, you must obtain networking information required to later configure the node-management LIFs and the Service Processor IP addresses for both of the nodes.
Adding or replacing switches
Before you expand the cluster, you must ensure that the cluster switches support the expanded configuration. If the cluster is switchless, you must add switches. If the existing switches do not have enough ports available to support the new configuration, you must replace the switches.