The reindex.ssl.key setting in Elasticsearch is used to specify the path to the SSL key file for secure communication during reindexing operations from remote clusters.
- Default Value: Not set
- Possible Values: A valid file path to the SSL key file
- Recommendation: Use this setting when reindexing from a remote cluster that requires SSL/TLS authentication
This setting is part of the SSL configuration for the reindex operation. It works in conjunction with other SSL-related settings to establish secure connections to remote Elasticsearch clusters during reindexing tasks.
Example Usage
To set the reindex.ssl.key using the cluster settings API:
PUT _cluster/settings
{
"persistent": {
"reindex.ssl.key": "/path/to/client.key"
}
}
You might want to change this setting when you need to reindex data from a remote Elasticsearch cluster that uses SSL/TLS for security. Setting this correctly ensures that your Elasticsearch instance can authenticate itself to the remote cluster.
Common Issues and Misuses
- Incorrect file path leading to connection failures
- Using an incompatible or expired SSL key
- Forgetting to set complementary SSL settings like
reindex.ssl.certificate
Do's and Don'ts
Do's
- Keep your SSL key in a secure location with restricted access
- Regularly update and rotate your SSL keys
- Use absolute file paths to avoid confusion
Don'ts
- Don't share or expose your SSL key
- Don't use self-signed certificates in production environments
- Don't forget to update this setting if you change the location or content of your SSL key file
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the same SSL key for multiple remote clusters?
A: Yes, you can use the same SSL key for multiple remote clusters if they accept the same client certificate. However, for better security, it's recommended to use separate keys for different environments.
Q: What happens if the SSL key is not set correctly?
A: If the SSL key is not set correctly, reindexing operations to remote clusters requiring SSL will fail with connection errors.
Q: Is the reindex.ssl.key setting required for all reindexing operations?
A: No, it's only required when reindexing from a remote cluster that uses SSL/TLS and requires client certificate authentication.
Q: How often should I rotate the SSL key used for reindexing?
A: It's a good practice to rotate SSL keys annually or more frequently based on your organization's security policies.
Q: Can I update the reindex.ssl.key setting dynamically?
A: Yes, you can update this setting dynamically using the cluster settings API without restarting your Elasticsearch nodes.
