Destroy cluster

  • We have an active\passive cluster that needs to be dismantled but we want to keep the SQL instance. Can I just remove each node from the sql cluster and destroy the windows cluster? Can I continue to run SQL on one of the nodes after removing the sql cluster? Thanks

    Running SQL Server 2008R2 SP2

    Windows Server 2008R2 SP1

  • Are you saying, you want to go from cluster env to stand-alone env?

    Regards,
    SQLisAwe5oMe.

  • Scorz (9/4/2014)


    We have an active\passive cluster that needs to be dismantled but we want to keep the SQL instance. Can I just remove each node from the sql cluster and destroy the windows cluster? Can I continue to run SQL on one of the nodes after removing the sql cluster? Thanks

    Running SQL Server 2008R2 SP2

    Windows Server 2008R2 SP1

    You cannot turn an existing clustered instance into a standalone instance.

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

  • SQLisAwE5OmE (9/4/2014)


    Are you saying, you want to go from cluster env to stand-alone env?

    Yes

  • Like Perry says, you can't uncluster your instance. What you can do is evict nodes from the cluster until you have a single-node cluster. Would that meet your requirements?

    John

  • John Mitchell-245523 (9/5/2014)


    Like Perry says, you can't uncluster your instance. What you can do is evict nodes from the cluster until you have a single-node cluster. Would that meet your requirements?

    John

    Thanks for your help. Yes, that would work. This is a physical cluster and we need the passive node for another project. So I can evict the passive node from the sql and windows cluster and re-install a stand alone instance on the former passive node? Can I destroy the windows cluster after?

  • I don't know what happens to the node after you evict it - whether it still has the SQL Server binaries on. I would recommend rebuilding the whole computer, just to be safe. You can't destroy the cluster, no, because you still have a clustered instance on it (albeit single-node). But you could back up your databases, rebuild the server as a non-clustered instance and restore the databases. That's going to involve a bit of downtime, though, and carries the risk that if something goes wrong, you could be left with nothing.

    John

  • John Mitchell-245523 (9/5/2014)


    I don't know what happens to the node after you evict it - whether it still has the SQL Server binaries on. I would recommend rebuilding the whole computer, just to be safe. You can't destroy the cluster, no, because you still have a clustered instance on it (albeit single-node). But you could back up your databases, rebuild the server as a non-clustered instance and restore the databases. That's going to involve a bit of downtime, though, and carries the risk that if something goes wrong, you could be left with nothing.

    John

    Thanks again John

  • Scorz (9/5/2014)


    So I can evict the passive node from the sql and windows cluster and re-install a stand alone instance on the former passive node?

    If you evist the node the clustered instance will still be installed. If you evict this node be sure to wipe the server and perform a clean OS\app install

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    "Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs" 😉

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