Methods, systems and computer readable media for self-replicating cluster appliances

A system for self-replicating cluster appliances, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a memory;
• a controller node implemented using the at least one processor and the memory, wherein the controller node is configured for controlling a cluster of one or more network testing and/or visibility nodes, wherein the controller node is further configured for:
• receiving, during an authentication process, node information associated with a first computing node that is not a member of the cluster, wherein the first computing node includes a preconfigured operating system, wherein the authentication process is initiated after the first computing node is connected to the controller node via a physical cable and after the first computing node sends a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request message for requesting an IP address;
• determining, using the node information, an operating system image for configuring the first computing node to be a member of the cluster;
• and
• providing, via a communications interface, the operating system image to the first computing node;
• and
• the first computing node, wherein the first computing node is configured for:
• receiving the operating system image;
• and
• performing, using the operating system image, a hot-boot to configure the first computing node to be a member of the cluster as a worker node controllable by the controller node and to provide at least one network testing or visibility service via at least one pod in the cluster.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor of at least one computer cause the at least one computer to perform steps comprising:

• at a controller node configured for controlling a cluster of one or more network testing and/or visibility nodes:
• receiving, during an authentication process, node information associated with a first computing node that is not a member of the cluster, wherein the first computing node includes a preconfigured operating system, wherein the authentication process is initiated after the first computing node is connected to the controller node via a physical cable and after the first computing node sends a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request message for requesting an IP address;
• determining, using the node information, an operating system image for configuring the first computing node to be a member of the cluster;
• and
• providing, via a communications interface, the operating system image to the first computing node;
• and
• at the first computing node:
• receiving the operating system image;
• and
• performing, using the operating system image, a hot-boot to configure the first computing node to be a member of the cluster as a worker node controllable by the controller node and to provide at least one network testing or visibility service via at least one pod in the cluster.