Elasticsearch Error: Invalid rollup operation - Common Causes & Fixes

Brief Explanation

The "Invalid rollup operation" error in Elasticsearch occurs when there's an issue with the configuration or execution of a rollup job. Rollup jobs are used to aggregate and summarize data over time, but when the operation is invalid, it prevents the rollup process from completing successfully.

Common Causes

1. Incorrect rollup job configuration
2. Incompatible field types in the source index
3. Mismatched date histogram settings
4. Invalid aggregations in the rollup job
5. Insufficient permissions to perform rollup operations

Troubleshooting and Resolution Steps

1. Review the rollup job configuration:

   • Check the source index and ensure it exists and contains the expected fields
   • Verify that the date histogram settings are correct and match the source data
   • Confirm that all specified metrics and aggregations are valid for the field types

2. Examine field types:

   • Use the GET /_mapping API to check the field mappings in the source index
   • Ensure that the fields used in the rollup job are compatible with the specified aggregations

3. Validate permissions:

   • Verify that the user or role executing the rollup job has the necessary permissions
   • Check cluster and index-level privileges for rollup operations

4. Analyze error logs:

   • Review Elasticsearch logs for detailed error messages related to the rollup operation
   • Look for specific field names or aggregations mentioned in the error output

5. Test with a simplified rollup job:

   • Create a minimal rollup job configuration with only essential fields and aggregations
   • Gradually add complexity to isolate the source of the error

6. Update Elasticsearch:

   • If you're using an older version of Elasticsearch, consider updating to the latest version
   • Check the release notes for any known issues or improvements related to rollup operations

Best Practices

• Always test rollup jobs on a small subset of data before applying them to large datasets
• Use meaningful names for rollup jobs and indices to easily identify their purpose
• Regularly monitor rollup job status and performance using the rollup APIs
• Consider using ILM (Index Lifecycle Management) in conjunction with rollup jobs for efficient data management

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I modify an existing rollup job configuration?
A: No, rollup job configurations cannot be modified after creation. You need to delete the existing job and create a new one with the desired configuration.

Q: How do I check the status of a rollup job?
A: Use the GET /_rollup/job/<job_id> API to retrieve information about a specific rollup job, including its status and statistics.

Q: What happens if a rollup job fails?
A: If a rollup job fails, it will stop processing data. You can view the job status and error details using the rollup APIs, then address the issue and restart the job.

Q: Can I query both rolled-up and live data together?
A: Yes, Elasticsearch provides a rollup search API that allows you to query both rolled-up and live data simultaneously, given that the rollup job configuration matches your query requirements.

Q: How often should rollup jobs be scheduled?
A: The frequency of rollup jobs depends on your data volume, retention needs, and query patterns. Common schedules include daily, weekly, or monthly rollups, but you should adjust based on your specific use case and performance requirements.