add cloned server to existing farm

Uraken007
Uraken007 used Ask the Experts™
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Hello all i currently have 12or so xen app servers across four pysical boxes, we are constantly maxing them out so i decided to add a new identical physical box and create three more virtual xen app machines on them and add to the existing farm. i am using the clone method of switching off an existing server and exporting, it takes a while so while i 'm waiting i thought i 'd ask once the three new servers are up and running how do i add them to the farm, i have looked at the chfarm command but it looks a little scary and i don't want to break anything does any one have a quick guide or advice on adding servers to existing farms. thanks in advance
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Citrix Technology Professional - Fellow
Top Expert 2010
Commented:
"ASS"uming you have all the proper precautions taken care of for cloning a XenApp server, CHFARM is one way you could do this.  CHFARM is actuall quite simple.  Run chfarmm tell it you are going to join a farm and answer the questions.  One the servers are in the farm you will then need to add them to your published applications/load evaluators/policies.
Uraken007

Author

Commented:
Hi i am following this:
1. Copy Sysprep (from Windows CD\Support\Tools\Deploy.cab) onto the local C: Drive of server1
2. Download XenApp Prep (http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX116063) onto the local C: Drive of server1
3. Shutdown server1
4. Clone server1 (and call the cloned server "server2")
5. start server1 (everything should function as normal)
6. Disconnect the NIC from server2 (just untick "Connect on Startup")
7. Start server2
8. Run Sysprep on server2 (and select Factory reseal and reboot as the method)
9. During the server reboot, go through the Sysprep process - enter computername (server2), IP settings, etc
10. After server2 is started up, install XenApp Prep (from C: Drive)
11. Follow the included documentation of XenApp Prep to prep your server
12. Shutdown server2
13. Reconnect the NIC for server2
14. Start server2
15 You should join the domain after enabling the NIC on server2


its xen app 5
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Carl WebsterCitrix Technology Professional - Fellow
Top Expert 2010

Commented:
You are not following the proper steps according to the links I sent you.  BUt if your procedure works for you then go for it.
Uraken007

Author

Commented:
Not sure that it works yet :) i am following an experts exchanges advice on the cloning method, i am not doing absolutely verbatim according to the documents you sent because i want to reuse the 'base image' so any registry changes etc would be permanent and render that VM as not instantly reusable (ie. i would need to go through the prepping procedure on that machine as well), i suppose it does makes sense to have a gold image so that i could reuse this again and again though? but i can't risk the original vm i am cloning becoming unusable.
Carl WebsterCitrix Technology Professional - Fellow
Top Expert 2010

Commented:
The only way to know if your method works is to test it.  Since you are not touching the original image, no harm, no foul.

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