Change the number of nodes

Last update: February 24 2025

Change the number of nodes

In Managed Kubernetes clusters, you can change the number of nodes on the cloud server — reduce or increase the number of nodes in the group. When you reduce the default number of nodes in a group, random nodes are removed. If necessary, you can delete a specific node. You can change the number of nodes on the cloud server in the control panel, via API Managed Kubernetes or through Terraform.

In Managed Kubernetes clusters on dedicated servers, you cannot increase the number of nodes in a group, but you can delete a specific node. You can delete a specific node on a dedicated server only in the control panel.

If there is only one node in the group, you can delete the entire node group. If the Kubernetes version is 1.28 or higher, in a node group on the cloud server, you can remove all nodes from the group and leave an empty node group. In an empty node group, node configurations, tags, tints and user data are saved, but nodes are not paid for.

Change the number of nodes on the cloud server⁠

carefully

When you reduce the number of nodes in a group, random nodes are removed. You can delete a specific node.

Fixed

1. В control panels from the top menu, press Products and select Managed Kubernetes.
2. Open the cluster page → tab Cluster composition.
3. On the menu node groups, select Change the number of nodes.
4. In the field Number of nodes tab Fixed.
5. Specify the required number of nodes. For fault-tolerant operation of system components, we recommend using at least two working nodes in the cluster, nodes can be in different groups.
6. Click Save.

With auto scaling

Autoscaling occurs only if the cluster is in status ACTIVE.

The actual number of nodes in the group may be less than the minimum number you specify when you configure autoscaling if:

• you increased the minimum number of nodes in the group after the group was created;
• the actual number of nodes is sufficient for the existing load and there is no need to increase the number of nodes.

If fewer nodes are sufficient for the current load in the cluster, but the pods cannot be moved for some reason, the number of nodes in the group will not be reduced.

For more information on how autoscaling works, please refer to the instruction manual Auto-scaling of node groups.

1. В control panels from the top menu, press Products and select Managed Kubernetes.
2. Open the cluster page → tab Cluster composition.
3. On the menu node groups, select Change the number of nodes.
4. In the field Number of nodes tab With auto scaling.
5. Set the minimum and maximum number of nodes in the group — the value of nodes will change only within this range. For fault-tolerant operation of system components we recommend using at least two working nodes in the cluster, nodes can be in different groups.
6. Click Save.

Delete a specific node⁠

You can delete a specific node from a group. After deletion, all pods of this node will be distributed to other nodes in the group.

If you delete a node on a dedicated server, according to the user agreement funds for dedicated servers will only be refunded for full unused months.

1. В control panels from the top menu, press Products and select Managed Kubernetes.
2. Open the cluster page → tab Cluster composition.
3. On the menu select Delete.
4. To confirm the deletion of a node, enter its name.
5. Click Delete.