APIC hardware gen 2 to gen 3 refresh

[Davideczech63]

Hello community, 

I have three gen 2 APICs and willing to replace them with gen 3. Is there any recommended procedure to follow here? 

Can I join the current cluster of gen 2 with gen 3 and then decommision the old sequentally? 

Should be the gen 3 on the same version when It's joining the cluster or is it possible to upgrade it after?

Is there any reference out there? 

Thanks, 

David C. 

[Robert Burns · Accepted solution]

You can swap/mix any APIC Generation together.  Scaling will also fall to the lowest capable controller.  The process to replace cluster nodes is documented in the Troubleshooting Guide: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/4-x/troubleshooting/Cisco-APIC-Troubleshooting-Guide-42x/Cisco-APIC-Troubleshooting-Guide-42x_appendix_011000.html

Robert

[Davideczech63]

Thank you Robert! 

What about the firmware version mismatch? Is it possible to connect the new APIC to the cluster and then upgrade firmware or It must have the same version once It joins the cluster? 

Thank you again, 

David 

[Robert Burns]

Also in the same doc:

"Prior to initiating a change to the cluster, always verify its health. When performing planned changes to the cluster, all controllers in the cluster should be healthy. If one or more of the Cisco APICs' health status in the cluster is not "fully fit," remedy that situation before proceeding. Also, assure that cluster controllers added to the Cisco APIC are running the same version of firmware as the other controllers in the Cisco APIC cluster."

Robert

[Davideczech63]

Alright, thank you again Robert for the quick response! 

David