When you add a Grid to a Master Grid, you can set it to strict delegation mode. In this mode, the Master Grid allocates an address block to the Grid, and the Grid admins are then allowed to create networks only within and below the assigned address block. This restriction applies so long as the Grid is managed by the Master Grid.

In addition, you can set the name of the Grid from the Master Grid; and if this name is different from the current name of the Grid, Multi-Grid Manager gives you the option to select either name or specify a new one.

The basic steps necessary to add a Grid to a Master Grid are as follows:

1. From the Multi-Grid Master:
   • Configure the Grid on the Multi-Grid Master, as described in the next section, 19282616 19282616.
   • Generate the Join Key and Join File, and download the file. For more information, see 19282616 19282616.
2. From the Grid Master, start the join operation. For more information, see19282616.

Configuring the Grid on the Multi-Grid Master

To preprovision a Grid on the Master Grid:

1. Log in to the Multi-Grid Master.
2. From the Grids tab, expand the Toolbar and click Add -> Add Grid Wizard.
3. In the Add Grid wizard, complete the following:
   • Name: Enter a name for the Grid that you are adding.
   • Comment: Optionally, enter additional information about the Grid.
   • Strict Delegation Mode: Select this option to restrict the address space within which the Grid admins can create networks.
   • Disable: Select this to disable the Grid. This allows you to preprovision the Grid and then enable it at a later time.
4. Optionally, define extensible attributes. For information, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183727.
5. Save the configuration.

Generating the Join Key and File

The Join file is a binary file that contains encrypted information that the Master Grid requires before it allows a Grid to join it. The Master Grid uses the Join Key to decrypt the Join file.

To generate the join key and file, complete the following:

1. Log in to the Multi-Grid Master.
2. From the Grids tab, select the List tab -> grid, and then select the Join icon.
   The Join Key dialog displays the Join Key and the expiration date and time of the Join file.
3. Click Download to download the Join Key file from the Multi-Grid Master. You must later upload it to the Grid Master of the Grid that is joining the Master Grid.
4. Additionally, copy the Join Key because you will need to type or paste it when you upload the Join Key file to the Grid Master.
5. Click OK to close the Join Key dialog.

Note that a Join file is valid up to four hours after it is generated.

Joining a Grid to the Master Grid

To join the Grid to the Master Grid, complete the following:

1. Log in to the Grid Master of the Grid.
2. Navigate to the Grid -> Grid Manager tab.
3. Expand the Toolbar and click Master Grid -> Join.
4. In the Add Master Grid wizard, complete the following:
   • Master Grid Communication Mode: When a Grid joins a Master Grid, the Multi-Grid Master synchronizes monitoring and update status data. To specify if the joining process will happen from the sub Grid or the Multi-Grid Master select one of the following:
     • sub Grid Initiated: Select sub Grid Initiated option to initiate the joining process from sub Grid to Multi-Grid Master.
     • MGM Initiated: Select MGM Initiated option to initiate the joining process from the Multi-Grid Master to sub Grid.
       For information on data synchronization, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911181989. 
   • Multi-Grid Master Hostname/IP Address: Type the VIP address of the HA Multi-Grid Master or the LAN address of the single Multi-Grid Master. You can also enter the hostname of the Multi-Grid Master.

   • Multi-Grid Master Port Number: The Multi-Grid Master synchronizes data with the Grid Master through encrypted VPN tunnels. You can change the default source and destination UDP port number for VPN tunnels, which is 1194.

     Note

     • The Join Key File and Join Key fields depend on the Master Grid Communication Mode you select.  
     • In case the Master Grid Communication Mode you select is MGM Initiated, you cannot edit the Multi-Grid Master Hostname/IP Address and Multi-Grid Master Port Number fields.
     • You can generate the join key file and join key details when you click Generate in the Expiration field and specify the Use MGMT interface for Master Grid Communication option for MGM Initiated communication mode.  
   • Join Key File: You can perform the following:
     • sub Grid Initiated: Click Select to upload the join key file generated by the Master Grid.
     • MGM Initiated: If the Grid has not joined the Master Grid, you can click Generate to generate the join key file and then click Download to download the join key file.
   • Join Key: You can perform the following:
     • sub Grid Initiated: You can type or paste the Join Key generated by the Multi-Grid Master. This is required to decrypt the join key file.
     • MGM Initiated: If the Grid has not joined the Master Grid and a Join Key was generated, this field displays the join key. Otherwise, it displays a message indicating that the Grid has joined the Master Grid.
       
   • Expiration: Click on Generate to generate the join key file and join key details, this field displays the date and time for which the generated join key file and join key combination is valid.    
   • Disable: Select this to disable the configuration at this time.
   • Use MGMT interface for Master Grid Communication: Select this option to use MGMT interface to communicate between Multi-Grid Master and sub Grid. If you select this option, use the MGMT IP address for the sub Grid on the Multi-Grid Master.  
5. Save the configuration to begin the join operation.

If the Grid name you entered in the Master Grid is different from the actual Grid name, Multi-Grid Manager displays a confirmation dialog requesting that you select either of the names or enter a new one. You can then log into Multi-Grid Manager to verify that the Grid has successfully joined the Master Grid. To view the Join status of the Grid, navigate to the Grids -> List tab. For more information, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183110.

If the Grid Master candidate and sub Grid have the same host name, the new Grid Master will not be able to send notification to the sub Grid. Therefore, when you promote a Grid Master candidate on an Multi-Grid Master, make sure the hostname is different for the Grid Master candidate and the sub Grid.

From Multi-Grid Manager, you can perform the following:

• View the Grids in different views. For more information, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183110
• Set some Grid properties. For more information, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183171
• Upgrade the Grids. For more information, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183190
• View and manage the network space of the Grids. For more information, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183235.

Leaving the Master Grid

You can perform the Leave operation after you join a Grid. To leave the Master Grid:

1. Log in to the Grid Master of the Grid.
2. Navigate to the Grid -> Grid Manager tab.
3. Expand the Toolbar and click Master Grid -> Leave. Grid is completely disassociated from the Master Grid.

Master Grid Communication Mode Limitations 

Master Grid Communication Mode has the following Limitations for MGM initiated communication mode:

• You can have only one mode of communication for the Grid. 
• You can apply the Grid template to one sub Grid at a time. For information on templates, see /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911183203. 
• If there is a Grid Master candidate promotion on a sub Grid, you need to manually update the IP address of the new Grid Master.  
• A Grid can have multiple sub Grids. Before adding a new sub Grid, make sure that all sub Grids have already joined the Grid because at any given instance, a Grid can have only one sub Grid that is either in the process of joining the Grid or has not yet joined the Grid. 

Changing the Communication Mode for Master Grid Communication

When Master Grid Communication Mode is already selected for a Grid and in case you need to switch the Communication Mode, you need to delete all the sub Grids and then change the Master Grid Communication Mode. To change the Master Grid Communication Mode, see 19282616 and /wiki/spaces/mgmadminguide/pages/911181917.