Migrate 2 clusters into 1

[sarond]

Hi Guys,

I have 2 clusters, lets call them 'Cluster A' and 'Cluster B'. (All the same customer in the AMC) There are also 2 x MAS Servers and a CCM Server but I will worry about those later. My main concern is trying not to reprogram the controllers from scratch. All FAC and COS are the same on both Clusters, there are also no number conflict with users or devices. There is already ARS dialing using PNI between clusters. All systems are MCD 6.0 SP1, all CEID, Feature DN etc... are unique.

There are 4 x 3300 controllers in Cluster A, lets call them A1, A2, A3 and A4. There are 3 x 3300 controllers in Cluster B, B1, B2 and B3. Below are the 2 options given by Mitel.

1. One tech from Mitel Tech Support suggested that I buy another controller and manually join it to the Cluster I want to keep (i.e. Cluster A) and then program all users from one of the controller manually into this controller. So I would create the element as 'A5' and program all the users from 'B1' onto this controller. Once done I would wipe the DB from 'B1' and then use this to create 'A6' and program all users from 'B2' onto this and keep going until I have migrated all users from 'Cluster B'. I the end I would end up with a spare controller. This is not ideal. The reason given was that it would be easier and not likely to corrupt SDS etc...

2. Another Tech said that I could essentially just stop sharing one of the controllers from 'Cluster B', delete all the network elements and join it to 'Cluster A'. I could then sync from an Element in 'Cluster A' and this should keep my users in place. Repeat this for all elements on 'Cluster B'.

This will be done over a weekend so systems can be offline.
Obviously Option 2 is preferred but will it work? I'm reaching out as I know a lot of you have good experience with this and I'm wanting to lean on the community for input/support. If there is a better way to do this I'm more than happy to listen.

Sorry for the long post.
Regards,

 

[LoopyLou]

Depending on how many phones on each element of say cluster B. Reprogramming them might not be that difficult. Otherwise its remove an element at a time from Cluster B and add them as single systems to cluster A.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Anyone else and you need to throw it harder.

 

[sarond]

There are about 250 users on each element on Cluster B. Reprogramming won't be too bad, I can just export what I need. Users/Devices, Groups, Keys etc...

Have you had experience with removing an element from one cluster and adding to another? What pitfalls and headaches could I be up for.

 

[LoopyLou]

I have only done it on older software ( MCD 4 ) where you still have access to the remote directory form where you can delete its entries. I see by your post that you have MCD 6 where you can't do that. Is there anything on Mitel on Line regarding removing a system from a cluster? I have not checked.

Another option would be to engage Mitel pro services and have them do it. They would take databases from all systems and handle the moving of elements. They would then give you back databases for all systems allowing you to do everything in one weekend by restoring the databases. You would have to compare their costs to your costs for doing all the work.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Anyone else and you need to throw it harder.

 

[sarond]

Thanks Loopy,

I know there are new maintenance commands regarding removing elements but have not had a need to use them yet. I guess I will find out.

I had already engaged Pro Services and they gave me a rough quote of 2 full weeks Pro Services work(I'm not sure if this is because they didn't want to do it), I though that was a be a bit extreme. They mentioned they would have to SDS debug the system.

The part that worries me is if Pro Services say they would take 2 weeks what hope do I have to get it done in a couple of weekends.
Although my hope is that what the other tech said about removing the controller from one cluster and adding it to another is correct, this means I could get this done in a weekend.