Using Automated Addition to Add Nodes
Applies To: Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003
The automated method of adding a node to a cluster can only be used if the following prerequisites are met:
The cluster is supported by a private network.
Remote Installation Services (RIS) and the hotfix for RIS are installed on the head node.
A RIS image has been created and a valid license key applied to that image.
The computer or computers being added to the cluster are configured to perform a PXE boot before starting from local media. This is typically done in the BIOS setup.
The private network interface of each node is dynamically assigned an IP address, either by ICS being enabled on the head node or by configuring a DHCP server on the private network.
To add one or more nodes using the Automated Addition method
Run the Compute Cluster Administrator.
On To Do List, navigate to the Node Management tile and click Add Nodes.
On the Before You Begin page, note the tasks you are about to perform, then click Next to continue or Cancel to close the wizard.
On the Select Method page, select Automated deployment and click Next.
On the Select Image page, select the RIS image that you want to use for each node. If you are adding a series of nodes, the image you select will be installed on all the nodes in the series. If you want to install a different image on another node or nodes, perform this procedure again and select a different image.
On the same page, provide a domain, user name, and password to install these nodes. This account will be used to create computer accounts for each node in Active Directory. Click Next.
On the Enter Node Series Name page, enter a name for the node(s) you are adding. If you are adding more than one node, this name will be used as a prefix for the series of computers you are adding. Click Next.
On the Microsoft Software License Terms page, read the license terms. If you agree to them, accept the terms, and then click Next.
On the Start RIS page of the wizard, note that RIS will reformat the disk drives of the computer as part of the operating system installation. Click Next.
On the Image Nodes page, click Start RIS.
- While RIS is running (shown on the page as an animation), restart each computer that you intend to add to the cluster. RIS will reformat and install an image onto each computer when it restarts.
At the head node, note the progress messages displayed in the RIS installation log text box as each computer is reimaged. These messages summarize the operations being performed. If you want detailed information during the RIS process, select Display debug log and detailed information from Binlsvc.log will be displayed.
After all computers you intend to add have been restarted and each has an image installed, each computer will then restart again as part of the installation process. Because each node now has an Active Directory computer account, the node will not be re-imaged. Click Stop RIS, then click Next.
The Result page reports the installation process results. You can print, send e-mail, or save the results. Verify that the report displays that the installation is complete, and then click Finish.
The node you have added will be displayed in the Node Management page as Pending Approval. Approve or reject the node for inclusion to the cluster by right-clicking that node and choosing Accept. The node will now be in a Paused state.
Next steps
The node or nodes you have just accepted for inclusion in your cluster are in a Pending Approval state. After the cluster administrator approves the node, the state changes to Paused. While a node is paused, the cluster administrator can perform additional configuration of the node such as running scripts, installing software, or performing any additional node configuration that is needed. For more information about managing node status, refer to Managing Compute Nodes.