Brief Explanation
The "Invalid snapshot name" error in Elasticsearch occurs when attempting to create, restore, or manage a snapshot with a name that doesn't meet the required naming conventions or contains invalid characters.
Common Causes
- Using special characters in the snapshot name
- Starting the snapshot name with an underscore
- Using uppercase letters in the snapshot name
- Exceeding the maximum length for snapshot names
- Using reserved words or system-reserved prefixes
Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve
- Check the snapshot name for any special characters or spaces.
- Ensure the snapshot name starts with a lowercase letter or number.
- Use only lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens (-), and underscores (_) in the name.
- Keep the snapshot name under 255 bytes.
- Avoid using reserved words or system-reserved prefixes like
.
,..
, or-
. - If using the Snapshot API, verify the correct syntax and parameters in your request.
- Review Elasticsearch documentation for the latest naming conventions and restrictions.
Additional Information and Best Practices
- Use descriptive and consistent naming conventions for snapshots to improve manageability.
- Consider using date-based naming patterns for automated snapshots (e.g.,
daily-snapshot-2023-05-15
). - Implement proper error handling in your applications to catch and handle snapshot-related errors gracefully.
- Regularly audit and clean up old or unnecessary snapshots to maintain system health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use spaces in Elasticsearch snapshot names?
A: No, spaces are not allowed in Elasticsearch snapshot names. Use hyphens or underscores instead to separate words.
Q: What is the maximum length for an Elasticsearch snapshot name?
A: Elasticsearch snapshot names should be less than 255 bytes in length.
Q: Are uppercase letters allowed in Elasticsearch snapshot names?
A: No, uppercase letters are not allowed. Use only lowercase letters in snapshot names.
Q: Can a snapshot name start with a number?
A: Yes, snapshot names can start with a number. They must start with either a lowercase letter or a number.
Q: Is it possible to rename an existing Elasticsearch snapshot?
A: No, Elasticsearch does not provide a direct way to rename existing snapshots. You would need to create a new snapshot with the desired name and delete the old one.