---
title: High Availability Installation
weight: 275
---
This set of instructions creates a new Kubernetes cluster that's dedicated to running Rancher in a high-availability (HA) configuration. This procedure walks you through setting up a 3-node cluster using the Rancher Kubernetes Engine (RKE). The cluster's sole purpose is running pods for Rancher. The setup is based on:

- Layer 4 load balancer (TCP)
- Nginx ingress controller with SSL termination (HTTPS)

![Rancher HA]({{< baseurl >}}/img/rancher/ha/rancher2ha.svg)

## Installation Outline

Installation of Rancher in a high-availability configuration involves multiple procedures. Review this outline to learn about each procedure you need to complete.

1. [Provision Linux Hosts](#1-provision-linux-hosts)

	Provision three Linux hosts to serve as your Kubernetes cluster.

2. [Configure Load Balancer](#2-configure-load-balancer)

	Configure your load balancer to have a highly available single point of entry to your Rancher cluster.

3. [Configure DNS](#3-configure-dns)

	Make your setup accessible using a DNS name by configuring the DNS to point to your loadbalancer.

4. [Download RKE](#4-download-rke)

	[RKE](https://github.com/rancher/rke/releases) is a fast, versatile Kubernetes installer that you can use to install Kubernetes on your Linux hosts.

5. [Download RKE Config File Template](#5-download-config-file-template)

	RKE uses a YAML config file to install and configure your Kubernetes cluster. Download one of our RKE config file templates to get started.

6. [Configure Nodes](#6-configure-nodes)

	Configure the **Nodes** section of the RKE config template.

7. [Configure Certificates](#7-configure-certificates)

	Configure the **Certificates** part of the template too.

8. [Configure FQDN](#8-configure-fqdn)

	And the **FQDN** part.

9. [Back Up Your RKE Config File](#9-back-up-your-rke-config-file)

	After you've completed configuration of the RKE config file: 1. it's no longer a template since you'll be using it, and 2. you should back up the RKE config file to a safe place. You will reuse this file for upgrades later.

10. [Run RKE](#10-run-rke)

	Run RKE to deploy Rancher to your cluster.

11. [Back Up Auto-Generated Config File](#11-back-up-auto-generated-config-file)

	During installation, RKE generates a config file that you'll use later for upgrades. Back it up to a safe location.

12. **For those using a certificate signed by a recognized CA:**

	[Remove Default Certificates](#12-remove-default-certificates)

	If you chose [Option B](#option-b-bring-your-own-certificate-signed-by-recognized-ca) as your SSL option, log into the Rancher UI and remove the certificates that Rancher automatically generates.

<br/>

## 1. Provision Linux Hosts

Before you install Rancher, confirm you meet the host requirements. Provision 3 new Linux hosts using the requirements below.

### Host Requirements

#### Operating System

{{< requirements_os >}}

#### Hardware

{{< requirements_hardware >}}

#### Software

{{< requirements_software >}}

{{< note_server-tags >}}

#### Ports

The following diagram depicts the basic port requirements for Rancher. For a comprehensive list, see [Port Requirements]({{< baseurl >}}/rancher/v2.x/en/installation/references/).

![Basic Port Requirements]({{< baseurl >}}/img/rancher/port-communications.png)

## 2. Configure Load Balancer

We will be using Nginx as our Layer 4 Load Balancer (TCP). Nginx will forward all connections to one of your Rancher nodes.

>**Note:**
> In this configuration, the load balancer is positioned in front of your Linux hosts. The load balancer can be any host that you have available that's capable of running Nginx.
>
>One caveat: do not use one of your Rancher nodes as the load balancer.

### A. Install Nginx

Start by installing Nginx on your load balancer host. Nginx has packages available for all known operating systems.

For help installing Nginx, refer to their [install documentation](https://www.nginx.com/resources/wiki/start/topics/tutorials/install/).

### B. Create Nginx Configuration

After installing Nginx, you need to update the Nginx config file, `nginx.conf`, with the IP addresses for your nodes.

1. Copy and paste the code sample below into your favorite text editor. Save it as `nginx.conf`.

2. From `nginx.conf`, replace `IP_NODE_1`, `IP_NODE_2`, and `IP_NODE_3` with the IPs of your [Linux hosts](#1-provision-linux-hosts).

    **Example Nginx config:**
    ```
    worker_processes 4;
    worker_rlimit_nofile 40000;

    events {
        worker_connections 8192;
    }

    http {
        server {
            listen         80;
            return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
        }
    }

    stream {
        upstream rancher_servers {
            least_conn;
            server IP_NODE_1:443 max_fails=3 fail_timeout=5s;
            server IP_NODE_2:443 max_fails=3 fail_timeout=5s;
            server IP_NODE_3:443 max_fails=3 fail_timeout=5s;
        }
        server {
            listen     443;
            proxy_pass rancher_servers;
        }
    }
    ```

3. Save `nginx.conf` to your load balancer at the following path: `/etc/nginx/nginx.conf`.

4. Load the updates to your Nginx configuration by running the following command:

    ```
    # nginx -s reload
    ```

### Option—Run Nginx as Docker container

Instead of installing Nginx as a package on the operating system, you can rather run it as a Docker container. Save the edited **Example Nginx config** as `/etc/nginx.conf` and run the following command to launch the Nginx container:

```
docker run -d --restart=unless-stopped \
  -p 80:80 -p 443:443 \
  -v /etc/nginx.conf:/etc/nginx/nginx.conf \
  nginx:1.14
```

## 3. Configure DNS

Choose a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) that you want to use to access Rancher (e.g., `rancher.yourdomain.com`).<br/><br/>

1. Log into your DNS server a create a `DNS A` record that points to the IP address of your [load balancer](#2-configure-load-balancer).

2. Validate that the `DNS A` is working correctly. Run the following command from any terminal, replacing `HOSTNAME.DOMAIN.COM` with your chosen FQDN:

    `nslookup HOSTNAME.DOMAIN.COM`

    **Step Result:** Terminal displays output similar to the following:

    ```
    $ nslookup rancher.yourdomain.com
    Server:         YOUR_HOSTNAME_IP_ADDRESS
    Address:        YOUR_HOSTNAME_IP_ADDRESS#53

    Non-authoritative answer:
    Name:   rancher.yourdomain.com
    Address: HOSTNAME.DOMAIN.COM
    ```

<br/>

## 4. Download RKE

RKE is a fast, versatile Kubernetes installer that you can use to install Kubernetes on your Linux hosts. We will be using RKE to setup our cluster and run Rancher.

1. From your workstation, open a web browser and navigate to our [RKE Releases](https://github.com/rancher/rke/releases/latest) page. Download the latest RKE installer applicable to your Operating System:

    - **MacOS**: `rke_darwin-amd64`
    - **Linux**: `rke_linux-amd64`
    - **Windows**: `rke_windows-amd64.exe`

2. Make the RKE binary that you just downloaded executable. Open Terminal, change directory to the location of the RKE binary, and then run one of the commands below.

    >**Using Windows?**
    >The file is already an executable. Skip to [Download Config File Template](#5-download-config-file-template).

    ```
    # MacOS
    $ chmod +x rke_darwin-amd64
    # Linux
    $ chmod +x rke_linux-amd64
    ```

3.  Confirm that RKE is now executable by running the following command:

    ```
    # MacOS
    $ ./rke_darwin-amd64 --version
    # Linux
    $ ./rke_linux-amd64 --version
    ```

    **Step Result:** You receive output similar to what follows:
    ```
    rke version v<N.N.N>
    ```

## 5. Download RKE Config File Template

RKE uses a `.yml` config file to install and configure your Kubernetes cluster. There are 2 templates to choose from, depending on the SSL certificate you want to use.

1. Download one of following templates, depending on the SSL certificate you're using.

	- [Template for self-signed certificate<br/> `3-node-certificate.yml`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rancher/rancher/e9d29b3f3b9673421961c68adf0516807d1317eb/rke-templates/3-node-certificate.yml)
	- [Template for certificate signed by recognized CA<br/> `3-node-certificate-recognizedca.yml`](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rancher/rancher/e9d29b3f3b9673421961c68adf0516807d1317eb/rke-templates/3-node-certificate-recognizedca.yml)

2. Rename the file to `rancher-cluster.yml`.

## 6. Configure Nodes

Once you have the `rancher-cluster.yml` config file template, edit the nodes section to point toward your Linux hosts.

1. Open `rancher-cluster.yml` in your favorite text editor.

2. Update the `nodes` section with the information of your [Linux hosts](#provision-linux-hosts).

    For each node in your cluster, update the following placeholders: `IP_ADDRESS_X` and `USER`.

```
nodes:
  - address: IP_ADDRESS_1
    # THE IP ADDRESS OR HOSTNAME OF THE NODE
	user: USER
    # USER WITH ADMIN ACCESS. USUALLY `root`
	role: [controlplane,etcd,worker]
	ssh_key_path: ~/.ssh/id_rsa
    # PATH TO SSH KEY THAT AUTHENTICATES ON YOUR WORKSTATION
    # USUALLY THE VALUE ABOVE
  - address: IP_ADDRESS_2
	user: USER
	role: [controlplane,etcd,worker]
	ssh_key_path: ~/.ssh/id_rsa
  - address: IP_ADDRESS_3
	user: USER
	role: [controlplane,etcd,worker]
	ssh_key_path: ~/.ssh/id_rsa
```

## 7. Configure Certificates

For security purposes, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is required when using Rancher. SSL secures all Rancher network communication, like when you login or interact with a cluster.

Choose from the following options:

- [Option A—Bring Your Own Certificate: Self-Signed](#option-a-bring-your-own-certificate-self-signed)
- [Option B—Bring Your Own Certificate: Signed by Recognized CA](#option-b-bring-your-own-certificate-signed-by-recognized-ca)

### Option A—Bring Your Own Certificate: Self-Signed

>**Prerequisites:**
>Create a self-signed certificate.
>
>- The certificate files must be in [PEM format](#pem).
>- The certificate files must be encoded in [base64](#base64).
>- In your certificate file, include all intermediate certificates in the chain. Order your certificates with your certificate first, followed by the intermediates. For an example, see [Intermediate Certificates](#cert-order).

1. In `kind: Secret` with `name: cattle-keys-ingress`:

    * Replace `<BASE64_CRT>` with the base64 encoded string of the Certificate file (usually called `cert.pem` or `domain.crt`)
    * Replace `<BASE64_KEY>` with the base64 encoded string of the Certificate Key file (usually called `key.pem` or `domain.key`)

    >**Note:**
    > The base64 encoded string should be on the same line as `tls.crt` or `tls.key`, without any newline at the beginning, in between or at the end.

    **Result:** After replacing the values, the file should look like the example below (the base64 encoded strings should be different):

```yaml
---
  apiVersion: v1
  kind: Secret
  metadata:
    name: cattle-keys-ingress
    namespace: cattle-system
  type: Opaque
  data:
    tls.crt: LS0tLS1CRUdJTiBDRVJUSUZJQ0FURS0tLS0tCk1JSUM1RENDQWN5Z0F3SUJBZ0lKQUlHc25NeG1LeGxLTUEwR0NTcUdTSWIzRFFFQkN3VUFNQkl4RURBT0JnTlYKQkFNTUIzUmxjM1F0WTJFd0hoY05NVGd3TlRBMk1qRXdOREE1V2hjTk1UZ3dOekExTWpFd05EQTVXakFXTVJRdwpFZ1lEVlFRRERBdG9ZUzV5Ym1Ob2NpNXViRENDQVNJd0RRWUpLb1pJaHZjTkFRRUJCUUFEZ2dFUEFEQ0NBUW9DCmdnRUJBTFJlMXdzekZSb2Rib2pZV05DSHA3UkdJaUVIMENDZ1F2MmdMRXNkUUNKZlcrUFEvVjM0NnQ3bSs3TFEKZXJaV3ZZMWpuY2VuWU5JSGRBU0VnU0ducWExYnhUSU9FaE0zQXpib3B0WDhjSW1OSGZoQlZETGdiTEYzUk0xaQpPM1JLTGdIS2tYSTMxZndjbU9zWGUwaElYQnpUbmxnM20vUzlXL3NTc0l1dDVwNENDUWV3TWlpWFhuUElKb21lCmpkS3VjSHFnMTlzd0YvcGVUalZrcVpuMkJHazZRaWFpMU41bldRV0pjcThTenZxTTViZElDaWlwYU9hWWQ3RFEKYWRTejV5dlF0YkxQNW4wTXpnOU43S3pGcEpvUys5QWdkWDI5cmZqV2JSekp3RzM5R3dRemN6VWtLcnZEb05JaQo0UFJHc01yclFNVXFSYjRSajNQOEJodEMxWXNDQXdFQUFhTTVNRGN3Q1FZRFZSMFRCQUl3QURBTEJnTlZIUThFCkJBTUNCZUF3SFFZRFZSMGxCQll3RkFZSUt3WUJCUVVIQXdJR0NDc0dBUVVGQndNQk1BMEdDU3FHU0liM0RRRUIKQ3dVQUE0SUJBUUNKZm5PWlFLWkowTFliOGNWUW5Vdi9NZkRZVEJIQ0pZcGM4MmgzUGlXWElMQk1jWDhQRC93MgpoOUExNkE4NGNxODJuQXEvaFZYYy9JNG9yaFY5WW9jSEg5UlcvbGthTUQ2VEJVR0Q1U1k4S292MHpHQ1ROaDZ6Ci9wZTNqTC9uU0pYSjRtQm51czJheHFtWnIvM3hhaWpYZG9kMmd3eGVhTklvRjNLbHB2aGU3ZjRBNmpsQTM0MmkKVVlCZ09iN1F5KytRZWd4U1diSmdoSzg1MmUvUUhnU2FVSkN6NW1sNGc1WndnNnBTUXhySUhCNkcvREc4dElSYwprZDMxSk1qY25Fb1Rhc1Jyc1NwVmNGdXZyQXlXN2liakZyYzhienBNcE1obDVwYUZRcEZzMnIwaXpZekhwakFsCk5ZR2I2OHJHcjBwQkp3YU5DS2ErbCtLRTk4M3A3NDYwCi0tLS0tRU5EIENFUlRJRklDQVRFLS0tLS0K
    tls.key: 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
```

2. In `kind: Secret` with `name: cattle-keys-server`, replace `<BASE64_CA>` with the base64 encoded string of the CA Certificate file (usually called `ca.pem` or `ca.crt`).

    >**Note:**
    > The base64 encoded string should be on the same line as `cacerts.pem`, without any newline at the beginning, in between or at the end.


    **Result:** The file should look like the example below (the base64 encoded string should be different):
    ```yaml
    ---
    apiVersion: v1
    kind: Secret
    metadata:
      name: cattle-keys-server
      namespace: cattle-system
    type: Opaque
    data:
      cacerts.pem: 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
    ```

### Option B—Bring Your Own Certificate: Signed by Recognized CA

>**Note:**
> If you are using Self Signed Certificate, [click here](#option-a-self-signed-certificate) to proceed.

If you are using a Certificate Signed By A Recognized Certificate Authority, you will need to generate a base64 encoded string for the Certificate file and the Certificate Key file. Make sure that your certificate file includes all the [intermediate certificates](#ssl-faq-troubleshooting) in the chain, the order of certificates in this case is first your own certificate, followed by the intermediates. Please refer to the documentation of your CSP (Certificate Service Provider) to see what intermediate certificate(s) need to be included.

In the `kind: Secret` with `name: cattle-keys-ingress`:

* Replace `<BASE64_CRT>` with the base64 encoded string of the Certificate file (usually called `cert.pem` or `domain.crt`)
* Replace `<BASE64_KEY>` with the base64 encoded string of the Certificate Key file (usually called `key.pem` or `domain.key`)

After replacing the values, the file should look like the example below (the base64 encoded strings should be different):

>**Note:**
> The base64 encoded string should be on the same line as `tls.crt` or `tls.key`, without any newline at the beginning, in between or at the end.

```yaml
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Secret
metadata:
  name: cattle-keys-ingress
  namespace: cattle-system
type: Opaque
data:
  tls.crt: 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
  tls.key: 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
```

## 8. Configure FQDN

There are two references to `<FQDN>` in the config file (one in this step and one in the next). Both need to be replaced with the FQDN chosen in [Configure DNS](#3-configure-dns).

In the `kind: Ingress` with `name: cattle-ingress-http`:

* Replace `<FQDN>` with the FQDN chosen in [Configure DNS](#3-configure-dns).

After replacing `<FQDN>` with the FQDN chosen in [Configure DNS](#3-configure-dns), the file should look like the example below (`rancher.yourdomain.com` is the FQDN used in this example):

```yaml
 ---
  apiVersion: extensions/v1beta1
  kind: Ingress
  metadata:
    namespace: cattle-system
    name: cattle-ingress-http
    annotations:
      nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-connect-timeout: "30"
      nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-read-timeout: "1800"   # Max time in seconds for ws to remain shell window open
      nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/proxy-send-timeout: "1800"   # Max time in seconds for ws to remain shell window open
  spec:
    rules:
    - host: rancher.yourdomain.com
      http:
        paths:
        - backend:
            serviceName: cattle-service
            servicePort: 80
    tls:
    - secretName: cattle-keys-ingress
      hosts:
      - rancher.yourdomain.com
```

Save the `.yml` file and close it.

## 9. Back Up Your RKE Config File

After you close your `.yml` file, back it up to a secure location. You can use this file again when it's time to upgrade Rancher. 

## 10. Run RKE

With all configuration in place, use RKE to launch Rancher. You can complete this action by running the `rke up` command and using the `--config` parameter to point toward your config file.

1. From your workstation, make sure `rancher-cluster.yml` and the downloaded `rke` binary are in the same directory.

2. Open a Terminal instance. Change to the directory that contains your config file and `rke`.

3. Enter one of the `rke up` commands listen below.

```
# MacOS
./rke_darwin-amd64 up --config rancher-cluster.yml
# Linux
./rke_linux-amd64 up --config rancher-cluster.yml
```

**Step Result:** The output should be similar to the snippet below:

```
INFO[0000] Building Kubernetes cluster
INFO[0000] [dialer] Setup tunnel for host [1.1.1.1]
INFO[0000] [network] Deploying port listener containers
INFO[0000] [network] Pulling image [alpine:latest] on host [1.1.1.1]
...
INFO[0101] Finished building Kubernetes cluster successfully
```

## 11. Back Up Auto-Generated Config File

During installation, RKE automatically generates a config file named `kube_config_rancher-cluster.yml` in the same directory as the RKE binary. Copy this file and back it up to a safe location. You'll use this file later when upgrading Rancher Server.

## 12. Remove Default Certificates

**For those using a certificate signed by a recognized CA:**

>**Note:** If you're using a self-signed certificate, you don't have to complete this procedure. Continue to [What's Next?](#what-s-next)

By default, Rancher automatically generates self-signed certificates for itself after installation. However, since you've provided your own certificates, you must disable the certificates that Rancher generated for itself.

**To Remove the Default Certificates:**

1. Log into Rancher.

2. Select  **Settings** > **cacerts**.

3. Choose `Edit` and remove the contents. Then click `Save`.

## What's Next?

You have a couple of options:

- Create a backup of your Rancher Server in case of a disaster scenario: [High Availablility Back Up and Restoration]({{< baseurl >}}/rancher/v2.x/en/installation/backups-and-restoration/ha-backup-and-restoration).
- Create a Kubernetes cluster: [Creating a Cluster]({{ <baseurl> }}/rancher/v2.x/en/tasks/clusters/creating-a-cluster/).

<br/>

## FAQ and Troubleshooting

{{< ssl_faq_ha >}}
