# Add a backend server in a legacy architecture

Expanding a cluster in a legacy architecture with a new backend server is similar to the WEKA legacy system installation process.

Adding a server to the cluster includes adding the containers and configuring the networking, CPU resources, and SSDs.

<figure><img src="/files/SoiACF55RxO239pRL5lz" alt=""><figcaption><p>Adding a server to the cluster in a legacy architecture</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** In most cases, the container configurations are similar. Therefore, importing the container settings from a previously exported container in the cluster is possible, saving time and avoiding misconfiguration. \
See [Expand the cluster by importing the server settings](#expand-the-cluster-by-importing-the-server-settings).
{% endhint %}

## Add a backend server to an existing cluster

1. Obtain the WEKA install file.
   * Download the WEKA install file used when the existing cluster was last upgraded (or formed, if not upgraded). See [Obtain the WEKA software installation package](/4.1/install/bare-metal/obtaining-the-weka-install-file.md).
   * Use the `weka status` command to show the current cluster install file version.<br>
2. Install the WEKA software on the new server.
   * Run the `untar` command and `install.sh` command on the new server.\
     At the end of the installation process, the server is in stem mode (the server is not attached to a cluster).
3. Add the container to the cluster.
   * Run the following command line on any container in the cluster. In the `backend-hostname` property, specify the IP address or hostname of the new backend server to add.

```
weka cluster container add <backend-hostname>

```

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Once this step is completed, the container ID of the newly added server appears in response to the command. Make a note of it to use in the following steps.
{% endhint %}

4. Configure the networking.
   * Perform the instructions in [WEKA legacy system installation process](/4.1/install/bare-metal/weka-system-installation-with-multiple-containers-using-the-cli/using-cli.md#stage-6-configure-the-networking).
5. Configure the CPU resources.
   * Perform the instructions in [WEKA legacy system installation process](/4.1/install/bare-metal/weka-system-installation-with-multiple-containers-using-the-cli/using-cli.md#stage-8-configure-the-cpu-resources).
6. Apply the configuration of the container on the newly added server.
   * Perform the instructions in [WEKA legacy system installation process](/4.1/install/bare-metal/weka-system-installation-with-multiple-containers-using-the-cli/using-cli.md#stage-13-apply-containers-configuration).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You can activate the cluster containers sequentially.
{% endhint %}

7. Configure the SSDs.
   * Perform the instructions in [/pages/-LBLMSKaLrUYWcSxAMhN#7.-configure-the-ssds](https://docs.weka.io/4.1/usage/expanding-and-shrinking-cluster-resources/pages/-LBLMSKaLrUYWcSxAMhN#7.-configure-the-ssds "mention").

## Expand the cluster by importing the container settings

In most cases, the server configurations are similar. Therefore, importing the server setting from a previously exported server in the cluster is possible, saving time and avoiding misconfiguration.

**Procedure:**

1. Perform only steps 1 to 3 in the [Add a backend server to an existing cluster](#add-a-backend-server-to-an-existing-cluster) procedure (above).
2. Connect to one of the servers in the cluster and export the settings by running the following command: `weka local resources export`.
3. Connect to the new server and import the settings by running the following command: \
   `weka local resources import`.
4. Edit the local configuration.
   * See the [Expand specific resources of a container](/4.1/usage/expanding-and-shrinking-cluster-resources/expansion-of-specific-resources.md#local-resources-editing-commands) section.
5. Apply the configuration on the newly added server.
   * See [WEKA legacy system installation process](/4.1/install/bare-metal/weka-system-installation-with-multiple-containers-using-the-cli/using-cli.md#stage-13-apply-containers-configuration).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.weka.io/4.1/usage/expanding-and-shrinking-cluster-resources/stages-in-adding-a-backend-host.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.