Delete and Recreate Metastore in Same Region

[js54123875]

We have an existing metastore in a region. We would like to delete it (Create a Unity Catalog metastore - Azure Databricks | Microsoft Learn) and create a new metastore in that same region. Are there any issues that we should be aware of with creating a metastore in a region that previously had a metastore? Asking because I know it is possible to only have one metastore per region, and do not want to run into any conflicts as we take on this process.

Thanks!

[pvignesh92]

Hi @Jennette Shepard​ Each metastore that you created is backed by the storage layer as well. So if you delete the metastore, please validate and clean up the Policies and storage files that has been used for the metastore. Then creating a new one with a different storage path should not be a problem in my understanding.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Jennette Shepard​ 

Hope everything is going great.

Just wanted to check in if you were able to resolve your issue. If yes, would you be happy to mark an answer as best so that other members can find the solution more quickly? If not, please tell us so we can help you. 

Cheers!

[BapsDBC]

I have exactly the same query.

But before that, is it at all a good practice to delete the default metastore ? I am asking this because Databricks creates a lot of things on the Azure side like a storage account, access connector, managed identity, links to your workspaces etc. Many of them are deleted while you delete the metastore, but there are some residuals.

I tried this once. Then I had a lot of problem connecting to the Manage console with my Entra ID. Before that I had no problems whatsoever. The only thing I can relate to this issue, is deletion the metastore.

Rather, the approach to have a fresh metastore should be

• to delete all the catalogs within it
• and then create fresh organised catalogs 

This is what we did, and everyone is happy. You can as well rename your existing metastore.

[weca-theo]

How do you actually rename the metastore? I see no option to do it, even though I'm admin.