Cisco APIC Getting Started Guide, Release 6.2(x)

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Cisco APIC Getting Started Guide, Release 6.2(x)

Expand the APIC cluster using the add node option

Updated: January 12, 2026

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Learn how to expand an existing Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) cluster using the Add Node option introduced in Cisco APIC release 6.0(2), ensuring the node is clean or factory-reset for seamless integration.

Use this procedure on an existing Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller ( APIC ) cluster to expand the cluster using the Add Node option, which was introduced in Cisco APIC release 6.0(2). To expand a cluster in Cisco APIC releases prior to 6.0(2), see the previous procedure.

The Add Node option is a simpler and direct method to add a Cisco APIC to a cluster.

Before you begin

  • Ensure the node to-be-added is a clean node or is in factory-reset state.

  • Check the current Cluster Size in the General pane. If it is N , after successful node addition, the size will be N+1 .

Procedure

  1. On the menu bar, choose System > Controllers . In the Navigation pane, expand Controllers > apic_controller_name > Cluster as Seen by Node .

  2. In the Active Controllers pane, click the Actions button and select the Add Node option.

    The Add Node screen is displayed.

  3. Enter the following details in the Add Node screen:

    Select the Controller Type . Based on your selection, proceed to the relevant substep.

    Put a check in the Enabled box if you need to support IPv6 addresses.

    1. When the Controller Type is Physical :

      • CIMC details pane

        • IP Address: Enter the CIMC IP address.

        • Username: Enter the username to access CIMC.

        • Password: Enter the password to access CIMC.

        • Click Validate . Validation success is displayed on successful authentication.

        This pane appears only if you configured CIMC. If you did not configure CIMC, instead perform the physical APIC login step of the Bring up the APIC cluster using the GUI procedure (step 1b) on the new node to configure out-of-band management.

      • General pane

        • Name: Enter a name for the controller.

        • Admin Password: Enter the admin password for the controller.

        • Controller ID: This is auto-populated based on the existing cluster size. If the current cluster size is N , the controller ID is displayed as N+1 .

        • Serial Number: This is auto-populated after CIMC validation.

        • Force Add: Put a check in the Enabled box to add a Cisco APIC that has a release earlier than 6.0(2).

      • Out of Band Network pane

        • IPv4 Address: The address is auto-populated.

        • IPv4 Gateway: The gateway address is auto-populated.

        Note

        If you put a check in the Enabled box for IPv6 earlier, enter the IPv6 address and gateway.

      • Infra Network pane

        • IPv4 Address: Enter the infra network IP address.

        • IPv4 Gateway: Enter the infra network IP address of the gateway.

        • VLAN: Enter a VLAN ID.

    2. When the Controller Type is Virtual :

      • Management IP pane

        • IP Address: Enter the management IP address.

          Note

          The management IP addresses are defined during the deployment of the virtual machines using ESXi/AWS.

        • Enter the username for the virtual APIC .

        • Enter the password for the virtual APIC .

        • Click Validate . Validation success is displayed on successful authentication.

      • General pane

        • Name: User-defined name for the controller.

        • Controller ID: This is auto-populated based on the existing cluster size. If the current cluster size is N , the controller ID is displayed as N+1 .

        • Serial Number: The serial number of the virtual machine is auto-populated.

        • Force Add: Put a check in the Enabled box to add a Cisco APIC that has a release earlier than 6.0(2).

      • Out of Band Network pane

        • IPv4 Address: The IP address is auto-populated.

        • IPv4 Gateway: The gateway IP address is auto-populated.

        Note

        If you put a check in the Enabled box for IPv6 earlier, enter the IPv6 address and gateway.

      • Infra Network pane

        • IPv4 Address: Enter the infra network address.

        • IPv4 Gateway: Enter the IP address of the gateway.

        • VLAN: (Applicable only for remotely attached virtual APIC - ESXi) Enter the interface VLAN ID to be used.

        Note

        The Infra L3 Network pane is not displayed when the virtual APIC is deployed using AWS.

  4. Click Apply .

What to do next

The newly added controller appears in the Unauthorized Controllers pane. Wait for a few minutes for the latest controller to appear with the other controllers of the cluster, under the Active Controllers pane.

Also, check the Current Size and the Target Size in the General pane. The number displayed is updated with the latest node addition.