# Prefer one master node over another?

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/prefer-one-master-node-over-another/45049>\
**Category:** Elasticsearch\
**Created:** [March 21, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/prefer-one-master-node-over-another/45049 "2016-03-21T21:26:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![marke72](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/marke72/32/10832_2.png) [@marke72](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/marke72)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/prefer-one-master-node-over-another/45049/1 "2016-03-21T21:26:00Z")

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I've decreased the size of my cluster to just 4 data nodes but I feel like 3 dedicated master nodes is just a bit much for how small the cluster is and only one would be fine. I would like to relieve the data nodes from having to be masters if I can help it but also wouldn't mind if one were to take over if the dedicated master failed for some reason. Basically my question is can I have a set up like this: 2 data nodes, 2 data/master nodes, 1 master node, but have the dedicated master node always be the elected master when it is up and running? Or should I just make 3 of those 4 data nodes masters and just increase their resources? Thanks in advanced!

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**Author:** ![warkolm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/warkolm/32/39224_2.png) [@warkolm](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/warkolm)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/prefer-one-master-node-over-another/45049/2 "2016-03-21T22:26:36Z")

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> [@marke72](#):
>
> 2 data nodes, 2 data/master nodes, 1 master node

Yes.

> [@marke72](#):
>
> have the dedicated master node always be the elected master when it is up and running

Not without restarting the other node(s) that may be elected master, no.

> [@marke72](#):
>
> Or should I just make 3 of those 4 data nodes masters and just increase their resources?

Master nodes should not need a lot of resources, you should be able to run master+data comfortably.

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**Author:** ![marke72](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/marke72/32/10832_2.png) [@marke72](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/marke72)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2016, 1:48pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/prefer-one-master-node-over-another/45049/3 "2016-03-22T13:48:38Z")

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Great! Thank you for your help. I will test it out.

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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:** [July 5, 2017, 11:06pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/prefer-one-master-node-over-another/45049/4 "2017-07-05T23:06:16Z")

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