Pairing clusters using a pairing key

If you have cluster administrator access to a local cluster but not the remote cluster, you can pair the clusters using a pairing key. A pairing key is generated on a local cluster and then sent securely to a cluster administrator at a remote site to establish a connection and complete the cluster pairing for real-time replication.

1. On the local cluster, select Data Protection > Cluster Pairs.
2. Click Pair Cluster.
3. Click Start Pairing and click No to indicate that you do not have access to the remote cluster.
4. Click Generate Key.
   Note: This action generates a text key for pairing and creates an unconfigured cluster pair on the local cluster. If you do not complete the procedure, you will need to manually delete the cluster pair.
5. Copy the cluster pairing key to your clipboard.
6. Make the pairing key accessible to the cluster administrator at the remote cluster site.
   Note: The cluster pairing key contains a version of the MVIP, user name, password, and database information to permit volume connections for remote replication. This key should be treated in a secure manner and not stored in a way that would allow accidental or unsecured access to the user name or password.
   Attention: Do not modify any of the characters in the pairing key. The key becomes invalid if it is modified.
7. On the remote cluster, select Data Protection > Cluster Pairs.
8. Click Pair Cluster.
9. Click Complete Pairing and enter the pairing key in the Pairing Key field (paste is the recommended method).
10. Click Complete Pairing.