Inter-cluster connections can be formed between clusters in order to allow joins to be created between stores on these separate clusters. Inter-cluster connections are bi-directional, allowing joins to be formed between clusters in either direction once the inter-cluster connection has been set up.

In this way, these connections can facilitate inter-cluster routing of messages. Inter-cluster connections do not, however, provide full namespace federation across remote clusters. They are designed to support inter-cluster message propagation on explicitly joined stores, rather than mounting clusters in the namespace of remote clusters, as in realm federation.

It is important to note that the use of inter-cluster connections is exclusive of the use of realm federation, and they cannot be used together in any combination.

Inter-Cluster connections can be added either using the Enterprise Manager or programmatically.