Switching a Master Node

If you are using geographically distributed nodes in your cluster, and are having issues with performance, you can switch your master node to be the server closest to where the most data is being generated. When you switch your master node to a different node in the cluster, the cluster will automatically be placed in maintenance mode.

Note: This is especially beneficial for the Cryptographic Security Platform Vault for Cryptographic APIs and the Cryptographic Security Platform Vault for KMIP. Other vaults will not see a noticeable improvement.

  1. Log into the Cryptographic Security Platform Vault Management webGUI on any node using an account with Security Admin privileges.
  2. In the top right, click the Switch to Appliance Management link.
  3. In the top menu bar, click Cluster.
  4. Click the Servers tab.

  5. Select one of the nodes in the cluster.

    • The current mode is displayed in the Node column with a padlock next to the text Current Node.

    • The master node is displayed in the Server Name column with a star next to the name.

  6. Select Actions > Switch Master Node.

  7. Choose the server node that you want to make the new master and click Continue.

    This process can take several minutes.

    Note: If the process fails, you will see an error message with a retry button. After retrying, if it fails again, there may be an underlying issue with the server, and we recommend that you contact Support.

  8. When the node switch has completed, click Close to close the window.

    The Cryptographic Security Platform Vault switches the master node and refreshes the Servers tab. At this point, the cluster is no longer in maintenance mode.