Changing the VSX Cluster Type

Important - This section does not apply to Scalable Platforms (Maestro and Chassis).

Important: The only mode available for a VSX Cluster that was installed as R81.10 and higher is Virtual System Load Sharing (VSLS). The High Availability mode is available only if you upgrade a VSX Cluster from R81 or lower to R82. You can also convert a VSLS cluster to the High Availability mode.

This section presents procedures for converting VSX Cluster between High Availability and VSLS.

Changing the VSX Cluster mode involves the use of the "vsx_util convert_cluster" command on the Management Server.

Converting from VSLS to High Availability

1. Redistribute all Active Virtual Systems to one VSX Cluster Member

   1. Close all SmartConsole windows.

   2. Connect to the command line on the Management Server.

   3. Log in to the Expert mode.

   4. Run:

      vsx_util vsls

   5. Enter the IP address for the Security Management Server or Domain Management Server that manages this VSX Cluster.

   6. Enter the Management Server administrator user name and password.

   7. Select the VSX Cluster.

   8. From the Load Sharing menu, enter 3. Set all VSs active on one member.

   9. Enter the number of the VSX Cluster Member that is hosting the Active Virtual Systems.

   10. Enter Y to save and apply the configuration.

   11. Exit the VSLS menu.

2. Disable the VSLS options

   Perform these steps on each VSX Cluster Member:

   1. Connect to the command line.

   2. Log in to the Expert mode.

   3. Run:

      cpconfig

   4. Disable the Per Virtual System State.

   5. Disable the ClusterXL for Bridge Active/Standby.

   6. Restart the Check Point services (this can cause cluster failover):

      cpstop ; cpstart

3. Convert the VSX Cluster to High Availability

   1. Connect to the command line on the Management Server.

   2. Log in to the Expert mode.

   3. Run:

      vsx_util convert_cluster

      See vsx_util convert_cluster.

      Important - It is not supported to run the vsx_util convert_cluster command to convert a VSX Cluster from the High Availability mode to the VSLS mode when the VSX Cluster contains a Virtual Switch that is not assigned to any physical interface or to a VLAN interface.

   4. Enter the IP address for the Security Management Server or Main Domain Management Server that manages this VSX Cluster.

   5. Enter the Management Server administrator user name and password.

   6. From the Load Sharing menu, enter 3. Set all VSs active on one member.

   7. Select the VSX Cluster.

   8. Enter:

      HA

   9. Reboot each VSX Cluster Members (this can cause cluster failover).

   10. On each VSX Cluster Member:

       1. Connect to the command line.

       2. Log in to the Expert mode.

       3. Examine the VSX configuration:

          vsx stat -v

       4. Examine the VSX Cluster state and configuration:

          cphaprob state

   When the "vsx_util convert_cluster" command finishes, there should be only one Active VSX Cluster Member, on which all Virtual Systems are in the Active state, and one Standby VSX Cluster Member, on which all Virtual Systems are in the Standby state. Any additional VSX Cluster Members should be in Standby state, and their Virtual Systems in the Down state.

Converting from High Availability to VSLS

Note - You cannot convert a VSX Cluster to the VSLS mode, if it contains Virtual Systems in the Active/Active Bridge Mode, or contains Virtual Routers.