NetApp
Cluster : Configuration > Peers : Managing cluster peers : Creating cluster peer relationships in Data ONTAP 8.1.x
Creating cluster peer relationships in Data ONTAP 8.1.x
You can create a cluster peer relationship to connect clusters together so that the clusters in a peer relationship can communicate with each other to share information and to provide access to operations on the peer cluster.
Before you begin 
•
The time on the clusters that you want to connect using an intercluster network must be synchronized within 300 seconds (5 minutes).
The cluster peers can be in different time zones.
•
The correct maximum transmission unit (MTU) value must be used on the network ports that are used for replication.
The network administrator can identify the MTU value to use in the environment. The MTU value should be set to a value that is supported by the network end point to which it is connected. The default value of 1500 is correct for most environments.
•
Ports with intercluster role must be created if you want to use intercluster ports.
•
Each intercluster LIF must have an IP address that is dedicated for intercluster replication.
•
The intercluster LIFs IP addresses on all nodes must be configured with the same gateway and subnet mask.
•
All paths on a node that are used for intercluster networking should have equal performance characteristics.
•
The intercluster network must provide connectivity among all the intercluster LIFs on all the nodes in the cluster peers.
Each intercluster LIF on all nodes in a cluster must be able to connect to every intercluster LIF on every node in the peer cluster.
•
To use ports with the intercluster role, the intercluster ports must be created before configuring cluster peering.
System Manager automatically creates the intercluster LIFs.
•
Both the clusters (local and remote) must be managed by using System Manager.
If you added the destination cluster after you opened the source cluster management window, you must close the window and log in to the source cluster again to view the destination cluster.
About this task 
While creating a cluster peer relationship, you have to set the following attributes in the Cluster Peer Create wizard:
•
Create an intercluster LIF on each node in the cluster, if it is not already configured.
Intercluster LIFs can be configured on data ports or intercluster ports.
•
Specify the name and credentials of the remote cluster.
•
Specify the IP address and port number of the LIFs on the remote cluster that are used for intercluster communication.
Note: The Cluster Peer Create wizard does not list any remote cluster running Data ONTAP 8.2.
Steps 
1.
From the home page, double-click the appropriate storage system.
2.
Expand the Cluster hierarchy in the left navigation pane.
3.
Click Configuration > Peers.
4.
Click Create.
5.
Type or select information as prompted by the wizard.
6.
Confirm the details and click Finish to complete the wizard.

Was this topic helpful? Send comments to NetApp.