Cisco APIC Getting Started Guide, Release 6.2(x)

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Manage APIC cluster at boot using the GUI

Updated: January 12, 2026

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Overview

Learn how to build a new cluster, add a node to an existing cluster, or replace a node in an existing cluster using the APIC GUI, ensuring seamless integration and management of your network infrastructure.

Follow these steps to build a new cluster, add a node to an existing cluster, and replace one of the nodes in the existing cluster with a new node at boot using the GUI.

Procedure

1.

Log in to the APIC using https://APIC-IP and enter the password.

  1. For virtual APICs:

    If you have completed the deployment of virtual APICs using ESXi (OVF template) or remote AWS (CFT), then you see the output on the VM console similar to this example:

    System pre-configured successfully.
Use: https://172.31.1.2 to complete the bootstrapping.

    The IP address to access the bootstrapping GUI ( APIC Cluster Bringup ) is explicitly indicated, as shown in the example. You can proceed to step 2.

    After deploying Cisco APIC on AWS, keep the OOB management IP address handy to access the Cluster Bringup GUI. You can get the OOB management IP address from the Stacks Outputs tab on the AWS GUI.

  2. For physical APICs:

    Log in to the APIC KVM console using the CIMC; you will see a screen as shown:

    APIC Version: 6.0(2a)
Welcome to Cisco APIC Setup Utility
Press Enter Or Input JSON string to bootstrap your APIC node.

    If you see only a black screen on the KVM, connect to the CIMC using SSH and use serial over LAN (SoL) ("connect host") to connect to the console.

    On APIC, press Enter and provide the requested information. The IP address to access the bootstrapping GUI ( APIC Cluster Bringup ) is explicitly indicated. 

    admin user configuration ...
  Enter the password for admin [None]:
  Reenter the password for admin [None]:
Out-of-band management configuration ...
  Enter the IP Address [192.168.10.1/24]: 172.20.7.79/23
  Enter the IP Address of default gateway [192.168.10.254]: 172.20.6.1
Would you like to edit the configuration? (y/n) [n]:
System pre-configured successfully.
Use: https://172.20.7.79 to complete the bootstrapping
    Note

    The admin password must be the same as the password of the existing cluster.

    The IP addresses displayed above are examples. The IP addresses will vary based on your deployment.
2.

In the Select Workflow screen of the APIC Cluster Bringup wizard, choose one of these workflows.

  • New cluster : Use this option to start a new cluster.
  • Cluster expansion : Use this option to add a node to an existing clsuter.
  • APIC replacement : Use this option to replace one of the nodes in the existing cluster with a new node.

  1. To start a new cluster, see Bring up the APIC cluster using the GUI.

  2. To add a node to the existing cluster, perform these steps:

    • In the Select Workflow screen, choose Cluster expansion and click Next .

    • In the Cluster Verification screen, enter the OOB IP address of the active APIC node and click Validate .

      The fabric and controllers information are displayed.

      Click Next after verifying the information.

    • In the Enter Node Details screen, enter a name for the controller and the Pod ID in the Controller Name field and Pod ID fields respectively.

      Note

      Pod ID is not required for Layer3 APIC.

    • (Optional) Check the Standby checkbox and enter a value in the Controller ID field.

      The range of standby controller ID is from 21 to 29.

      The Controller ID field is auto-populated with a value and disabled by default.

    • (Optional) Check the Force check box to force this configuration.

    • (Optional) Check the Enable IPv6 check box if you want to enable IPv6 addresses for out-of-band management and enter the IPv6 address and gateway.

      The IPv4 address and IPv4 gateway are auto-populated under the Out-of- band Network pane.

    • (For Layer3 APIC) Enter these details under the Infra L3 Network pane.

      • IPv4 Address: Enter the infra network address.

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

      • VLAN: Enter the interface VLAN ID to be used.

      Click Next .

    • In the Summary screen, review the information and click Deploy .

      The progress of operation is displayed in a screen.

  3. To replace one of the nodes in the existing cluster with a new node, perform these steps:

    • In the Select Workflow screen, choose APIC replacement and click Next .

    • In the Cluster Verification screen, enter the OOB IP address of the active APIC node and click Validate .

      The fabric and controllers information are displayed.

      Click Next after verifying the information.

    • In the Enter Node Details screen, choose a controller ID from the Controller ID drop-down list.

      Only the IDs of the decommissioned controllers are available in the Controller ID drop-down list.

      The controller name is auto-populated based on the selected controller ID.

    • Enter the Pod ID in the Pod ID field.

      Note

      Pod ID is not required for Layer3 APIC.

    • (Optional) Check the Force check box to force this configuration.

    • (Optional) Check the Enable IPv6 check box if you want to enable IPv6 addresses for out-of-band management and enter the IPv6 address and gateway.

      The IPv4 address and IPv4 gateway are auto-populated under the Out-of- band Network pane.

    • (For Layer3 APIC) Enter these details under the Infra L3 Network pane.

      • IPv4 Address: Enter the infra network address.

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

      • VLAN: Enter the interface VLAN ID to be used.

      Click Next .

    • In the Summary screen, review the information and click Deploy .

      The progress of operation is displayed in a screen.

      Note
      The user must manually reload the UI after this step to navigate to the main APIC UI.