Elasticsearch cluster.info.update.interval Setting

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Example Common Issues or Misuses Do's and Don'ts Frequently Asked Questions

The cluster.info.update.interval setting in Elasticsearch controls how frequently the cluster updates its internal information about the state of nodes, including disk usage and other metrics. This setting is crucial for maintaining an up-to-date view of the cluster's health and resource utilization.

  • Default value: 30s (30 seconds)
  • Possible values: Time value (e.g., 10s, 1m, 5m)
  • Recommendations: The default value is suitable for most clusters. However, for large clusters or those with rapidly changing states, you might consider increasing this interval to reduce overhead.

Example

To change the cluster.info.update.interval setting using the cluster settings API:

PUT /_cluster/settings
{
  "persistent": {
    "cluster.info.update.interval": "1m"
  }
}

This example sets the update interval to 1 minute. You might want to increase this interval in a large cluster to reduce the frequency of updates and the associated network traffic. However, be aware that longer intervals mean potentially outdated information for a longer period.

Common Issues or Misuses

  • Setting the interval too low can increase network traffic and CPU usage unnecessarily.
  • Setting the interval too high may lead to delayed reactions to cluster state changes, potentially affecting shard allocation decisions.

Do's and Don'ts

Do's:

  • Adjust the interval based on your cluster size and rate of change.
  • Monitor cluster performance after changing this setting.
  • Use time-based values (e.g., 30s, 1m) for clarity.

Don'ts:

  • Don't set extremely low values (e.g., 1s) as it can overload your cluster.
  • Avoid very high values (e.g., 1h) as it may lead to stale cluster information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does cluster.info.update.interval affect shard allocation?
A: This setting indirectly affects shard allocation by determining how frequently the cluster updates its information about node states and disk usage. More frequent updates can lead to more responsive shard allocation decisions, but at the cost of increased overhead.

Q: Can changing cluster.info.update.interval impact cluster performance?
A: Yes, setting a very low interval can increase network traffic and CPU usage, potentially impacting performance. Conversely, a very high interval might lead to delayed reactions to cluster changes.

Q: Is it safe to change cluster.info.update.interval in a production environment?
A: Yes, it's generally safe to change this setting in production. However, it's recommended to make gradual changes and monitor the cluster's behavior after each adjustment.

Q: How do I determine the optimal cluster.info.update.interval for my cluster?
A: The optimal interval depends on your cluster size, rate of change, and performance requirements. Start with the default (30s), and adjust based on monitoring results and specific needs.

Q: Does cluster.info.update.interval affect all nodes in the cluster equally?
A: Yes, this is a cluster-wide setting that affects how often all nodes in the cluster update and share their state information.

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