how to release IIS from 'cluster' control

[nbaA]

Hope this is not a stupid question - quite new to Advanced Server and Windows.

My client has a 2 node Win Cluster.
The DR procedure invloves baseline restore, Active Directory configuration, data restore to a SINGLE unclustered Win box.

Basically my problem is that when I try to start IIS, I get an error message "You must use cluster administrator to stop or start this item".
However there is no cluster installed on the box. so my quesiton in layman's terms is how do I release IIS from cluster admin so I can stop/start from the IIS console.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GiaBetiu]

I am not sure if i understand what you want.
If the cluster is running, and IIS is a resource, then first you have to remove the IIS resource, and then the IIS will not be a clustered resource.

If the cluster is not running, and you cannot manage IIS service, then, this could be tricky. One possibility is to reinstall the cluster, and first remove the resources, and then uninstall it. Second is to reinstall IIS.

Gia Betiu
gia@almondeyes.net
Computer Eng. CNE 4, CNE 5, MCSE Win2K
new:

http://www.almondeyes.net

(just started)

 

[nbaA]

Thanks for that Gia.
Sorry about the delay in responding - holiday
to clarify the problem:
In our production environment, we have a 2 node cluster where as you say, IIS is a resource.
The complication is that when we move to the DR environment, there is a single Win2K machine. We are still developing the processes for this but I had imagined either a 1 node cluster, or not using MSCS at all.

The basic process is to restore a baseline backup of the primary prod box onto the dr machine, then restore data (where the quorum resides).
After the restore, I cannot start the cluster service (separate problem we're trying to resolve - looks like maybe a corrupt db file from the event logs.)

I think your idea of reinstalling IIS could be a good one.
To make things more complicated, we don't have access to the environment to go through a couple of iterations of testing.
I'll try your sugestions when i can.
Thanks again.

 

[dannyboy24]

Hi NBA.
Did you ever get to the bottom of this issue? I'm having exactly the same trouble with trying to start IIS services on a couple of nodes that DO have cluster admionistrator installed. IIS is saying I need to use cluster administrator to start/stop the service, but I can't create the service in cluster administrator as the service needs to be running to do so.
Chicken and egg me-thinks :-(

 

[nbaA]

Hi danny.

Never really got to the bottom of the chicken/egg problem as you call it. Basically we discovered a workaround which is sufficient for our purposes.

This was to start / stop IIS from the Crystal Management Console.

Crystal is the only thing requiring a Web Server for this system.
The idea of re-installing IIS/Cluster was abandoned becasue we wanted to minimise changes in the DR environment - reason being that in a DR situation we presumably need to restore back to the Production system at some point (back onto a 2-node cluster).

Does this make sense?
Is your problem that you can't start the cluster? If so maybe see Gia's suggestion of re-installing the cluster and IIS if neccessary.
Good luck!

nbaA.

 

[Willem1]

Hi Dannyboy

In using your words

I'm having exactly the same trouble with trying to start IIS services on a nodes that DO have cluster administrator installed.
IIS is saying I need to use cluster administrator to start/stop the service, but I can't create the service in cluster administrator as the service needs to be running to do so.
Cannot create any new IIS resources either.

 

[GiaBetiu]

Hi guys,

Long time no see. However, I had a look here and i see that you have problems with IIS and Cluster Administrator.
The rule here is simple: if you have a cluster, and you made IIS a resource then the only way to start/stop the IIS service is via Cluster Administrator Console.
Possible other tools to work. ( i will write on my site an indepth article about this subject).
Now, I think I didn't mention the entire procedure for removing the IIS resources.
As you observed, is not just about Cluster service. In the internal IIS metabase there are some fields to be changed.
For this, use the following:
- remove the IIS instances in Cluster Admin.
go to and launch:
C:\Inetpub\AdminScripts>cscript dispnode.vbs
It will show the web services and instances instances.
adsutil.vbs set <service name>/<instance id>/ClusterEnabled 0
eg: cscript adsutil w3svc/1/ClusterEnabled 0

After this command your IIS instance will be free, and you can manage it from Internet Services Manager.

The other problem with the egg/chicken,, I didn't think I understood it. But, please feel free to ask me or write me.

Success!

Gia Betiu
gia@almondeyes.net
Computer Eng. CNE 4, CNE 5, MCSE Win2K

http://www.almondeyes.net