---
title: "Removing CNodes"
slug: "removing-cnodes"
tags: ["5.5"]
updated: 2026-10-27T23:00:54Z
published: 2026-10-27T23:00:54Z
canonical: "docs.vastdata.com/removing-cnodes"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vastdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Removing CNodes

This procedure removes an active CNode from a cluster, and powers it down, in preparation for removal from the rack.

## Removing the CNode

1. Power off the CNode using one of the following methods:

The power off option deactivates and powers off the CNode. The CNode state transitions to DEACTIVATING and then to INACTIVE.
  - From the VAST Web UI:
    1. From the left menu, select **Infrastructure** and then **CNodes**.
    2. On the CNodes list, right-click the CNode you want to replace and select **Power off**.
  - From the VCLI:
    1. Identify the ID of the CNode you want to replace:

```plaintext
vcli: admin> cnode list
+----+--------------+--------------+---------------------------+-------------+-----------+--------+---------+----------------------------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------+-------+-------------
| ID | Name         | IP           | IPv6                      | Mgmt-ip     | Host Name | State  | Enabled | Build                                  | Management | Cluster    | OS-Version | CBox        | Cores | Serial
+----+--------------+--------------+---------------------------+-------------+-----------+--------+---------+----------------------------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------+-------+-------------
| 1  | cnode-128-21 | 10.10.128.21 | fe80::9a03:9bff:fe8f:ba4c | 10.55.21.11 | c-128-21  | ACTIVE | True    | build-as-orion-96399-835783 | Yes        | vast42-kfs | 12.8.16    | cbox-501023 | 14    | a4:bf:01:5c:
| 2  | cnode-128-22 | 10.10.128.22 | fe80::a6bf:1ff:fe5c:eaa4  | 10.55.21.13 | c-128-22  | ACTIVE | True    | build-as-orion-96399-835783 | No         | vast42-kfs | 12.9.1     | cbox-501023 | 14    | a4:bf:01:5c:
| 3  | cnode-128-23 | 10.10.128.23 | fe80::9a03:9bff:fe8f:ba44 | 10.55.21.15 | c-128-23  | ACTIVE | True    | build-as-orion-96399-835783 | No         | vast42-kfs | 12.8.16    | cbox-501023 | 14    | a4:bf:01:5c:
+----+--------------+--------------+---------------------------+-------------+-----------+--------+---------+----------------------------------------+------------+------------+------------+-------------+-------+-------------
```
    2. Run the following command with the relevant ID. For example, if you are replacing the failed CNode above:

```plaintext
vcli: admin> cnode deactivate --id 2 --power-off
```
2. Monitor the *modify_cnode* activity:
  - From the VAST Web UI: Go the **Activities** page and check the state of the *modify_cnode* activity.
  - From the VCLI: run `vtask list` and check the state of the *modify_cnode* activity.
3. When the state of the *modify_cnode* activity is COMPLETED, disconnect all QSFP28 and RJ-45 cables from the CNode.
4. Remove the CNode from the cluster:
  - From the VAST Web UI, in the Infrastructure page, right-click on the CNode and select **Delete**.
  - In the VCLI run this command:

```plaintext
vcli: admin> cnode remove --id ID
```
5. Remove the CNode.

To remove a CNode from an Ice Lake (HPE) model CBox:
  1. Disconnect all peripheral cables from the server.
  2. Loosen the release lever thumbscrew (1) by turning it counter clockwise.
  3. Pull the release lever to pull the server out of the bay (2).

![](UUID-a5e25c00-401f-740f-25d6-8d2190e31f73)