Dropping database partitions from the instance using the Drop Partitions launchpad

Use the Drop Partitions launchpad to guide you through the tasks necessary to drop database partitions from database partition groups, redistribute data in database partition groups, and drop partitions from an instance.

About this task

Note: When you drop database partitions from database partition groups the database partitions are not immediately dropped. Instead, the database partitions that you want to drop are flagged so that data can be move off them when you redistribute the data in the database partition groups.

It is recommended that you backup all databases in the instance before and after redistributing data in database partition groups. If you do not back up your databases, you might corrupt the databases and you might not be able to recover them.

Procedure

To drop partitions using the Drop Partitions launchpad:

Optional: Back up data using the Backup wizard.
Open the Drop Partitions launchpad:
1. Open the Partitions window: From the Control Center, expand the object tree until you find the instance for which you want to view the partitions. Right-click the instance that you want and select Open Database Partition Servers from the pop-up menu. The Partitions window opens for the selected instance.
2. Select the partitions you want to drop.
3. Right-click the selected partitions and click Drop in the pop-up menu. The Drop Partitions launchpad opens.
Drop the database partitions from database partition groups:
1. Confirm the database partitions you want to drop from the database partition groups.
  Note:
  - You must drop the database partitions from database partition groups before you drop partitions from the instance.
  - This operation does not drop the database partitions immediately. Instead, it flags the database partitions that you want to drop so that data can be move off them when you redistribute the data in the database partition group.
Redistribute data in a database partition group.
Drop partitions from the instance:
1. Open the Drop Partitions from Instance Confirmation window:
  - Open the Partitions window as described above.
  - Select the partitions you want to drop.
  - Right-click the selected partitions and click Drop in the pop-up menu. The Drop Partitions launchpad opens.
  - Click the Drop Partitions from Instance push button. The Drop Partitions from Instance Confirmation window opens.
2. In the Drop column, verify that you want to drop the partitions for the selected instance.
3. Click OK to open a window where you can schedule when you want to drop the partition.
Optional: Back up data using the Backup wizard.