Form a Cluster and Install Vertica

Use the install_vertica script to combine two or more individual VMs to form a cluster and install the Vertica database.

Before You Start

Before you run the install_vertica script:

Caution: Do not store your data on the root drive.

Combine Virtual Machines (VMs)

The following example shows how to combine VMs using the install_vertica script.

  1. While connected to your primary node, construct the following command to combine your nodes into a cluster.

    $ sudo /opt/vertica/sbin/install_vertica --hosts 10.2.0.164,10.2.0.165,10.2.0.166 --dba-user-password-disabled --point-to-point --data-dir /vertica/data --ssh-identity ~/<name-of-private-key>.pem --license <license.file>
  2. Substitute the IP addresses for your VMs and include your root key file name, if applicable.
  3. Include the --point-to-point parameter to configure spread to use direct point-to-point communication between all Vertica nodes, as required for clusters on Azure when installing or updating Vertica.  
  4. If you are using Vertica Community Edition, which limits you to three nodes, specify -L CE with no license file.
  5. After you combine your nodes, to reduce security risks, keep your key file in a secure place—separate from your cluster—and delete your on-cluster key with the shred command:

    $ shred examplekey.pem

    Important: You need your key file to perform future Vertica updates.

  6. Reboot your cluster to complete the cluster formation and Vertica installation.

For complete information on the install_vertica script and its parameters, see Installing Vertica with the Installation Script.