"Cluster Node Is Not Available" Error Message When Moving Group to Another Cluster Node

When you attempt to move a resource group from a computer running Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) to another node in the cluster, the following error messages may be displayed:

This behavior can occur if any of the following conditions exist:

• One or more of the resources in the group you are moving do not have the destination node listed as a possible owner for the resource.
• The target node is in a paused state.
• The target node's cluster service is in a transitional state; it is either exiting the cluster or it has not fully joined the cluster.

To resolve this issue, view the properties for each of the resources listed in the group that does not move to the other node. For each resource verify that the cluster node to which you are attempting to move the resource is listed as a possible owner.

When you locate the resource(s) that do not list the correct node as a possible owner in the properties dialog box, click Modify, and add the appropriate node to the possible owners list.

If both nodes are listed as possible owners for every resource, verify that the Cluster service is started on the target node. If the Cluster service is started, verify that the target node is not displayed as "paused" in Cluster Administrator.

This behavior is by design.

You can use the possible owners list to control which node of the cluster is allowed to own a specific resource. If a cluster node is not listed as a possible owner of the resource, you cannot move the group to that cluster node.