The MetroCluster configuration is built on two standard clusters. Physically, the configuration must be symmetrical, with each node having the same hardware configuration, and all of the MetroCluster components must be cabled and configured. However, the basic software configuration for nodes in a MetroCluster configuration is the same as that for nodes in a standard cluster.

Configuration step	Standard cluster configuration	MetroCluster configuration
Configure management, cluster, and data LIFs on each node.	Same in both types of clusters
Configure the root aggregate.	Same in both types of clusters
Set up the cluster on one node in the cluster.	Same in both types of clusters
Join the other node to the cluster.	Same in both types of clusters
Create a mirrored root aggregate.	Optional	Required
Peer the clusters.	Optional	Required
Enable the MetroCluster configuration.	Does not apply	Required

Configuration step

Standard cluster configuration

MetroCluster configuration

Configure management, cluster, and data LIFs on each node.

Same in both types of clusters

Configure the root aggregate.

Same in both types of clusters

Set up the cluster on one node in the cluster.

Same in both types of clusters

Join the other node to the cluster.

Same in both types of clusters

Create a mirrored root aggregate.

Optional

Required

Peer the clusters.

Optional

Required

Enable the MetroCluster configuration.

Does not apply

Required