Destroy a cluster but keep storage and Hyper V going

David Smith 0 Reputation points
2023-06-29T19:22:26.2933333+00:00

Hi,

I have a two node and a four node cluster (2012 R2). We are migrating to a new directory. Can I destroy the cluster without affecting the storage and Hyper V? I would add them to the new domain and they would be standalone until I can work with the directory team.

TY!

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Storage high availability | Virtualization and Hyper-V
Windows for business | Windows Server | Storage high availability | Clustering and high availability
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  1. Alex Bykovskyi 2,241 Reputation points
    2023-06-29T20:02:03.2366667+00:00

    Hey,

    You can remove disk from CSV and will not destroy data. You can join your node to another domain, create a new cluster and add storage to CSV. This process requires downtime of your VMs and I highly recommend to backup your data. Should help: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-domain-migration

    https://serverfault.com/questions/834368/will-the-remove-action-in-failover-cluster-manager-2012-r2-result-in-lost-data-o

    It would be much easier to move your VMs to another cluster, move nodes to another domain and create cluster in a new domain. You can then move your VMs back. It could be done without downtime Live Migrating your VMs to a different cluster. In addition, you should have shared storage for the cluster. StarWind VSAN can be used to replicated storage pool for a Failover Cluster. https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san

    Cheers,  
    Alex Bykovskyi  
    StarWind Software  
    Note: Posts are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

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  2. David Smith 0 Reputation points
    2023-07-09T21:00:11.0433333+00:00

    I evicted one node then I removed one csv. I was hoping I could mount that csv on the evicted node. It would act as a standalone Hyper v server temporarily until we integrate into the new cluster. I wasnt able to see the csv data on the evicted standalone HV server. it seems I have to move VMs somewhere, recreate volumes and move them back

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