SQL 2008 R2 failover cluster for system center: Lessons Learned (the hard way)
I had assigned a task to install 5 SQL 2008 R2 cluster instances and on one of them had Analysis Services installed on a two node SQL Server 2008 R2 cluster (along with db engine).
Now I discovered that Analysis Services was not needed on one of the instances.
I thought : “No Problem , let’s remove” .
How do I remove this service from the cluster?
I tried the add/remove programs and command line option and both end up with the message: "The selected instance is clustered and cannot be removed as specified. To remove the selected instance, select "Remove Node" on the Installation Center or specify /Action=RemoveNode from the command line."
I tried removing one node hoping I could then uninstall from the only remaining node but still could not remove Analysis Services.
I've searched Google Bing and discovered this article that explained that “You cannot add or remove features to a SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2 failover cluster”: Http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2547273
So I learned it the hard way. Think before you install a feature on a SQL Cluster , because once it is installed , there is no way back !!
Hope it Helps ,
Kenny Buntinx