Apache Cassandra 3.7 snitch issue cannot start data center

Question

I am using ubuntu 14.04 with apache cassandra 3.7. I am trying to start it but get the following error message:

ERROR [main] 2016-07-15 15:22:10,627 CassandraDaemon.java:731 - Cannot start node if snitch's data center (dc1) differs from previous data center (datacenter1). Please fix the snitch configuration, decommission and rebootstrap this node or use the flag -Dcassandra.ignore_dc=true.

I know I can set -Dcassandra.ignore_dc=true, BUT that is not a fix, its a band-aid and for development use only, this is suppose to be in production. I tried to clear out all the files and folders in /var/lib/cassandra, I MEAN every SINGLE FILE AND FOLDER, started apache cassandra again, AND STILL THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE... any other idea??

Answer 1

I faced the issue while upgrading my Apache cassandra from 3.11.1 to 3.11.4 .
cassandra.yaml

old_Config : endpoint_snitch: GossipingPropertyFileSnitch

New_Config: endpoint_snitch: SimpleSnitch

{changed it to GossipingPropertyFileSnitch}

cassandra-rackdc.properties

old_version_config: dc:Dc1 rack:Rack1

New_version_config: dc:dc rack:rack (changed this to Dc1 and Rack1)

this resolves my issue

Answer 2

If have just switched to GossipingPropertyFileSnitch, start Cassandra with the option

-Dcassandra.ignore_dc=true

If it starts successfully, execute:

nodetool repair
nodetool cleanup

Afterwards, Cassandra should be able to start normally without the ignore option.

Answer 3

change in file: /etc/cassandra/cassandra-rackdc.properties entry from dc1 to datacenter1 on all nodes and then do a rolling restart of nodes.