# Cluster.initial\_master\_nodes Settings

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/cluster-initial-master-nodes-settings/353303>\
**Category:** Elasticsearch\
**Created:** [February 14, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/cluster-initial-master-nodes-settings/353303 "2024-02-14T17:17:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@pras](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/pras)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/cluster-initial-master-nodes-settings/353303/1 "2024-02-14T17:17:36Z")

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Hi guys

I have three node cluster using Elastic 8.6. It is in operation for more than a year. We are going to upgrade to 8.8 soon. I this regard I have a question on **cluster.initial\_master\_nodes setting**. This setting is still enabled. But as per this document [Bootstrapping a cluster | Elasticsearch Guide [8.8] | Elastic](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/8.8/modules-discovery-bootstrap-cluster.html) , it appears we should comment this setting as this is only one-off requirement.

Should this (cluster.initial\_master\_nodes) be removed or commented in elasticsearch.yml ?

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**Author:** ![stephenb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/stephenb/32/40856_2.png) [@stephenb](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/stephenb)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/cluster-initial-master-nodes-settings/353303/2 "2024-02-14T18:14:33Z")

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> [@pras](#):
>
> Should this (cluster.initial\_master\_nodes) be removed or commented in elasticsearch.yml ?

Yes removed or commented it out.

In the documentation you reference, there is a large warning why you should remove it complete with explanation of the risk if you do not.

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**Author:** ![pras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@pras](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/pras)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2024, 8:25am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/cluster-initial-master-nodes-settings/353303/3 "2024-02-15T08:25:46Z")

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Greate Appreciated, Thanks Stephen. Actually, that big warning alerted me. Would it be prudent to comment this specific setting in all nodes and do a rolling start? Data node first and master node last. Obviously, start nodes when cluster health is Green.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2024, 8:25am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/cluster-initial-master-nodes-settings/353303/4 "2024-03-14T08:25:55Z")

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