Procedure: Removing system data from a node canister

You can safely remove system information from a node canister, if you follow the proper guidelines and procedure. The information that is removed includes configuration data, cache data, and location data.

About this task

Attention: Do not remove the system data from a node canister unless instructed to do so by a service procedure. Do not use this procedure to remove the system data from the only online node canister in a system. If the system data is removed or lost from all node canisters in the system, the system is effectively deleted. Attempting a system recovery procedure to restore a deleted system is not guaranteed to recover all of your volumes.

Procedure

  1. Log in to the service assistant of the node canister.
  2. Use the service assistant node action to hold the node canister in service state.
  3. Click Manage System, then click Remove system data to remove the system data from the node canister.

What to do next

When you want the node canister to be active again, use the service assistant to leave service state. The node canister moves to candidate state, and can be added to the system. If the partner node canister is already active, the candidate node canister is added automatically.