Adding Tier 0 to an Existing System

Step-by-step guide for adding Tier 0 metadata storage to an existing VergeOS system that was not configured with Tier 0 during initial installation.

Overview

Key Points

• Tier 0 is normally configured during initial installation
• This procedure is for special cases requiring post-installation configuration
• Requires careful attention to device paths and hardware compatibility

This guide outlines the process for adding Tier 0 storage to an existing VergeOS system. While Tier 0 is typically configured during installation, these steps provide a method for adding it to production systems that cannot be reinstalled.

Critical Warning

• This procedure should only be performed by qualified VergeOS engineers or under direct support guidance
• Selected devices will be formatted and all existing data will be destroyed
• Incorrect device path selection can seriously damage your system

Prerequisites

Before beginning this procedure, ensure:

• Storage devices are physically installed in the system
• Tier 0 devices are consistent across controller nodes
• Hardware meets specifications from the Node Sizing Guide

Steps

1. Identify Device Paths

1. Navigate to System > vSAN Diagnostics.
2. Select Get Node Device List from the Query dropdown
3. Click Send
4. Identify unused devices (marked as "vsan = false")
5. Note the device paths (/dev/sd*) for each controller node

Verify current vSAN drive assignments by checking vSAN Tiers > [select tier] > Drives to avoid selecting drives already in use.

2. Add Drives to Tier 0

For each drive:

1. In vSAN Diagnostics:

   • Set Query to Add Drive to vSAN
   • Select the appropriate Node (node0 or node1)
   • Enter the correct Path for the device
   • Set Tier to Tier 0
   • Configure Swap setting

Swap Configuration

• Enable swap on only ONE storage tier
• If swap is enabled on another tier, disable it for Tier 0
• Contact VergeOS Support for guidance on swap configuration if needed

1. Enter the verification phrase: Yes I know what I'm doing
2. Click Send to execute

3. Verify Configuration

1. Monitor the system dashboard for tier status

   • Status will show "online-no redundancy" during meta migration
2. Refresh node information:

   • Navigate to each controller node's dashboard
   • Select Refresh > Drives & NICs

Post-Configuration

Monitor the vSAN tier status in the system dashboard. The tier should transition from "online-no redundancy" to "online" once meta migration completes.

Additional Resources

• vSAN Architecture Overview
• Node Sizing Guide

---

Document Information

• Last Updated: 2024-11-25
• VergeOS Version: 4.13