Reindexing a Suffix

If your index files become corrupt, you must reindex the suffix to recreate the index files in the corresponding database directory. You can reindex a suffix either by reindexing the suffix while the directory server is running or by reinitializing the suffix.

Reindexing a Suffix While the Directory Server Is Running

When you reindex a suffix, the server examines all of the entries the suffix contains and rebuilds the index files. During reindexing, the contents of the suffix are read-only. Because the server must scan the entire suffix for every attribute that is reindexed, this process might take up to several hours for suffixes with millions of entries. The length of time also depends on the indexes you configure. In addition, while the suffix is being reindexed, indexes are not available and server performance is impacted.

To Reindex All Indexes on A Suffix

You can use DSCC to perform this task. For information, see Directory Service Control Center Interface and the DSCC online help.

1. Reindex all indexes on a suffix.

   $ dsconf reindex -h host -p port suffix-DN

   For example, to initialize all indexes on the dc=example,dc=com suffix, use this command:

   $ dsconf reindex -h host -p port dc=example,dc=com

Reindexing a Suffix by Reinitialization

When you reinitialize a suffix, the new contents are imported, which means that the suffix contents are replaced and new index files are created. Reinitializing a suffix can be faster than reindexing more than one attribute because all attributes are indexed in parallel as the entries are loaded. However, be aware that the suffix is unavailable while it is being reinitialized.

To Reindex a Suffix Through Reinitialization

You can use DSCC to perform this task. For information, see Directory Service Control Center Interface and the DSCC online help.

1. Set the suffix to read-only, as described in Setting Referrals and Making a Suffix Read-Only.

2. Export the entire suffix to an LDIF file, as described in Backing Up to LDIF.

3. Import the same LDIF file to reinitialize the suffix, as described in Importing Data From an LDIF File.

   During the initialization, the suffix is unavailable. When the initialization is complete, all configured indexes are ready to be used.

4. Make the suffix writable again, as described in Setting Referrals and Making a Suffix Read-Only.