Configuring the MetroCluster software in ONTAP

You must set up each node in the MetroCluster configuration in ONTAP, including the node-level configurations and the configuration of the nodes into two sites. You must also implement the MetroCluster relationship between the two sites.

Gathering required information
You need to gather the required IP addresses for the controller modules before you begin the configuration process.
Similarities and differences between standard cluster and MetroCluster configurations
The configuration of the nodes in each cluster in a MetroCluster configuration is similar to that of nodes in a standard cluster.
Restoring system defaults and configuring the HBA type on a controller module
If your controller modules have been used previously, you must reset them for a successful MetroCluster configuration. This task is only required for stretch configurations using FC-to-SAS bridges.
Configuring FC-VI ports on a X1132A-R6 quad-port card on FAS8020 systems
If you are using the X1132A-R6 quad-port card on a FAS8020 system, you can enter Maintenance mode to configure the 1a and 1b ports for FC-VI and initiator usage. This is not required on MetroCluster systems received from the factory, in which the ports are set appropriately for your configuration.
Verifying disk assignment in Maintenance mode in a two-node configuration
Before fully booting the system to ONTAP, you can optionally boot the system to Maintenance mode and verify the disk assignment on the nodes. The disks should be assigned to create a fully symmetric configuration with both sites owning their own disk shelves and serving data, where each node and each pool have an equal number of mirrored disks assigned to them.
Verifying the HA state of components
In a stretch MetroCluster configuration that is not preconfigured at the factory, you must verify that the HA state of the controller and chassis component is set to mcc-2n so that they boot up properly. For systems received from the factory, this value is preconfigured and you do not need to verify it.
Setting up ONTAP in a two-node MetroCluster configuration
In a two-node MetroCluster configuration, on each cluster you must boot up the node, exit the Cluster Setup wizard, and use the cluster setup command to configure the node into a single-node cluster.
Configuring the clusters into a MetroCluster configuration
You must peer the clusters, mirror the root aggregates, create a mirrored data aggregate, and then issue the command to implement the MetroCluster operations.
Checking for MetroCluster configuration errors with Config Advisor
You can go to the NetApp Support Site and download the Config Advisor tool to check for common configuration errors.
Verifying switchover, healing, and switchback
You should verify the switchover, healing, and switchback operations of the MetroCluster configuration.
Configuring the MetroCluster Tiebreaker software
You can download and install the MetroCluster Tiebreaker software on a third site.
Protecting configuration backup files
You can provide additional protection for the cluster configuration backup files by specifying a remote URL (either HTTP or FTP) where the configuration backup files will be uploaded in addition to the default locations in the local cluster.