You are expanding an existing cluster that uses BES-53248 cluster interconnect switches.

Broadcom BES-53248 cluster interconnect switches require aReference Configuration File (RCF)to define supported port roles, speeds, breakout behavior, ISLs, and node-facing ports. By default, only a subset of ports is enabled for cluster connectivity. Ports0/17 through 0/20are not active for node connections unless explicitly configured by the correct RCF.

When new controllers are cabled to ports that are not enabled or correctly configured for cluster interconnect traffic, the ONTAP nodes cannot establish cluster LIF communication and therefore cannot join the cluster. Installing the correctRCFconfigures these ports with the required VLANs, MTU, flow control, and speed settings so that cluster traffic can pass.

A license file is not required for basic cluster interconnect functionality. The Cluster Switch Health Monitor (CSHM) configuration file enables monitoring, not port functionality. Rebooting controllers does not resolve switch-side configuration issues.

Therefore, installing thereference configuration fileis the required corrective action.