gistfile1.txt

Assuming there are 2 nodes called riak@host1 and riak@host2. 

Attach to riak console for riak@host1. Either 'riak-admin console' if the node is down, or 'riak-admin attach' if the node is already up and running.

Update the first line below with the right "other node" name, then copy/paste:

Other = 'riak@host2'.
net_adm:ping(Other).
riak_kv_console:join([atom_to_list(Other)]).
riak:join(Other).
rpc:call(Other, application, get_env, [riak_core, ring_creation_size]).
erlang:get_cookie().

Gist/Pastebin the results.

([email protected])1> Other = '[email protected]'.
'[email protected]'
([email protected])2> net_adm:ping(Other).
pong
([email protected])3> riak_kv_console:join([atom_to_list(Other)]).
Sent join request to [email protected]
ok
([email protected])4>
([email protected])4> riak:join(Other).
ok
([email protected])5>
([email protected])5>
([email protected])5> rpc:call(Other, application, get_env, [riak_core, ring_creation_size]).
{ok,256}
([email protected])6> erlang:get_cookie().
riak
([email protected])7>