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LogLocations - System Parameter

The Nodinite System Parameter LogLocations enables advanced disk volume management for SQL Server, allowing the Logging Service to distribute new Log Databases and associated files across multiple disks in a round-robin pattern. This helps maximize throughput and overcome the default SQL Server GUI limitations, which only allow DATA and LOG location settings.

Important

Proper disk configuration can significantly enhance performance and scalability. Using LogLocations, you can allocate different file groups to specific disks, reducing contention and optimizing read/write operations.

System Parameter Name Data Type Values/Example Comment
LogLocations JSON JSON object (see example #1 and example #2) Default = null (SQL Server defaults apply)

Why This Matters for Your Business

✅ Optimized Performance – Distribute database workloads across multiple disks to reduce bottlenecks and improve read/write speeds.
✅ Scalability for Large Data Volumes – Ensure your infrastructure can handle increasing data loads without sacrificing performance.
✅ Overcome SQL Server GUI Limitations – Gain fine-grained control over where Nodinite stores its log data, beyond just DATA and LOG.
✅ Improved Resource Utilization – Allocate storage more efficiently, ensuring each disk operates at optimal capacity.
✅ Reduced Risk of Disk I/O Contention – Prevent slowdowns by spreading workloads intelligently across multiple drives.

How It Works

The LogLocations parameter allows custom placement of SQL Server files on different disk volumes for better performance and scalability. It supports structured JSON configurations to control the distribution of the following file groups within a Log Database:

  • Data – Main database storage.
  • ImageData – Stores payloads outside of the Events table to reduce fragmentation.
  • Index – Optimized for clustered indexes and additional indexing.
  • Primary – SQL default (not used by Nodinite).
  • Log – Transaction log (recommended to run in Simple Recovery Mode).

The LastOrderDeployed field ensures a balanced distribution across multiple disk volumes, following a zero-based index. The system automatically manages the incremented recycling assignment.

Simple example with 1 disk to override the default SQL Path

data, index, imagedata and log are placed on the same disk H:.

{
	"Configurations": [{
		"CustomPathData": "H:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathImagedata": "H:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathIndex": "H:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPath": "H:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPathLog": "H:\\MSSQLSERVER\\LOG\\",
		"Order": 0
	}],
	"LastOrderDeployed": 0
}

Advanced example using 4 disks in 3 rotating groups

data, index and imagedata rotate over 3 disks (K:, L: and M:) and the primary and transaction log is placed on the 4:th disk (N:).

{
	"Configurations": [{
		"CustomPathData": "K:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathImagedata": "L:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathIndex": "M:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPath": "N:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPathLog": "N:\\MSSQLSERVER\\LOG\\",
		"Order": 0
	},
	{
		"CustomPathData": "M:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathImagedata": "K:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathIndex": "L:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPath": "N:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPathLog": "N:\\MSSQLSERVER\\LOG\\",
		"Order": 1
	},
	{
		"CustomPathData": "L:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathImagedata": "M:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"CustomPathIndex": "K:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPath": "N:\\MSSQLSERVER\\DATA\\",
		"DefaultPathLog": "N:\\MSSQLSERVER\\LOG\\",
		"Order": 2
	}],
	"LastOrderDeployed": 0
}

History

  • The System Parameter was renamed from ImLogLocations in Nodinite version 7 New 7.x.
  • This feature was introduced in Nodinite version 4 :new 4.3.0.26:.

Frequently asked questions

Additional solutions to common problems and the Nodinite System Parameters FAQ exist in the Troubleshooting user guide.

How do I change the value?

Changing a value for the pre-defined System Parameters is described in the generic 'How do I change the System Parameters' article.

Next Step

Administration