Welcome to the new VergeOS docs! The legacy docs remain available until they're retired later this year.
Legacy VergeOS Docs
Ctrlk
Verge.ioGitHub repoSupport
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.

Removing a Node from a VergeOS Cluster

How to safely remove a physical node from a VergeOS system, including maintenance mode, drive removal, and vSAN repair procedures.

Overview

This guide covers the process of removing a physical node from a VergeOS system. This procedure is used for hardware decommissioning, cluster downsizing, or node replacement scenarios.

Important Limitation

Node removal can only be performed on the last node in the system. Nodes must be removed in reverse order (last added, first removed).

Prerequisites

Before removing a node, ensure the following:

  • vSAN Health: All vSAN tiers must be healthy (green status)

  • Cluster Size: At least two nodes must remain in the cluster after removal

  • Recent Snapshot: A current system snapshot is recommended before proceeding

  • Backup Access: Verify IPMI or console access is available for troubleshooting

Removal Process

Step 1: Enable Maintenance Mode

  1. Navigate to System > Nodes.

  2. Double-click the last node in the system.

  3. Click Enable Maintenance on the left menu.

  4. Click Yes to confirm.

  5. Wait for all workloads to migrate off the node. Monitor the Running Machines section until it is empty.

Non-Migratable Workloads

VMs with GPU passthrough or host CPU type must be powered off manually before the node can enter maintenance mode.

Step 2: Offline and Delete Drives

Before powering off the node, all drives must be removed from the vSAN.

  1. From the node's dashboard, click Drives on the left menu.

  2. Select all drives listed for the node.

  3. Click Offline from the action menu.

  4. Click Yes to confirm.

  5. Wait for all drives to show Offline status.

  6. With all drives still selected, click Delete from the action menu.

  7. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

Wait for Data Migration

After deleting the drives, the vSAN will migrate data to remaining drives. Monitor the vSAN dashboard and wait for repairs to complete before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Power Off the Node

Verify vSAN Health Before Proceeding

Before powering off the node, navigate to Infrastructure > vSAN Tiers and confirm all tiers are green (healthy). Do not proceed until the vSAN has fully recovered from the drive removal in Step 2.

  1. Once all drives are deleted and the node status shows Maintenance Mode, click Power Off on the left menu.

  2. Click Yes to confirm.

  3. Wait for the node to fully power down.

Step 4: Delete the Node

  1. With the node powered off, click Delete on the left menu.

  2. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

Step 5: Wait for Final Repairs

After the node is deleted, the vSAN will perform final data redistribution across the remaining nodes.

  1. Navigate to System > vSAN to monitor repair progress.

  2. Wait for all tiers to return to green (healthy) status before performing any other operations.

Do Not Interrupt Repairs

Do not power off, restart, or remove additional nodes while vSAN repairs are in progress. Allow the repairs to complete fully.

Post-Removal Verification

After repairs complete:

  • Verify all vSAN tiers show green status

  • Confirm cluster resources are balanced across remaining nodes

  • Check system logs for any warnings or errors

Additional Resources

PreviousProper VergeOS System Shutdown Procedure
NextRequesting an Airgap License

Last updated

Was this helpful?