Possible to remove a node pair from a cluster and create a new cluster on them without losing data?

[HUX20002000]

I have these two NetApps in a cluster:

• Cluster name: naclus1
• NetApp 1 (FAS8300): naclus1-01, naclus1-02
• NetApp 2 (AFF C250): naclus1-03, naclus1-04

All nodes are connected to a pair Cisco 9K cluster switches.

I want to remove the FAS8300 from naclus1 and create a new cluster with it, called naclus2. Is it possible to do that without losing the data already on its nodes? If so, what's the process for that?

I have the option of migrating all the data over to the C250 first, wiping out the FAS8300, creating a new cluster from scratch, then migrating it back. However, that would be very time consuming. So if there's a way to do this without moving that data, it would be preferred.

[TMACMD]

Sounds like you’ll be migrating the data. 
that’s not a supported operation. 

[Ashun · Accepted solution]

hi，

The data cannot be retained directly. You need to migrate the data to C250, remove FAS8300 from the cluster and then create a new cluster

Remove nodes from an ONTAP cluster

How to decommission or repurpose an HA Pair with ONTAP 9 - NetApp Knowledge Base