Start/notes.ini Parameters/TRANSLOG_MaxSize

TRANSLOG_MaxSize

Parameter: TRANSLOG_MaxSize
Short description: Sets the maximum total size of the Domino transaction log in megabytes. Corresponds to the "Maximum log space" field in the server document ("Transactional Logging" tab). Maximum 4096 MB for Circular style.

Profile

Parameter
TRANSLOG_MaxSize
Component
Server (also Notes client – typically 256 MB there)
Category
Transaction log
Available since
Domino 5.x; currently documented in HCL Domino 9.0.x–14.5.1
Value format
Integer in megabytes (MB)
Maximum (Circular)
4096 MB (4 GB)
GUI equivalent
Server document → "Transactional Logging" → "Maximum log space"

Description

The Domino transaction log consists of a series of log file extents in the TRANSLOG_Path directory. Each extent is 64 MB in size (HCL KB0032176). TRANSLOG_MaxSize sets the upper bound for the sum of all extents.

Interaction with TRANSLOG_Style

  • Circular (TRANSLOG_Style=0): Maximum 4096 MB (4 GB). Once the area is full, the oldest entries are circularly overwritten.
  • Linear (GUI option, internally circular with a larger limit): TRANSLOG_MaxSize can be set above 4 GB if more log volume accumulates between two full backups.
  • Archive (TRANSLOG_Style=1): TRANSLOG_MaxSize is more of a soft cap; actual growth depends on how quickly the backup software marks extents as backed up. If the value is insufficient, the log area grows beyond TRANSLOG_MaxSize until the volume is full.

Behavior without an explicit value

If TRANSLOG_MaxSize is unset or invalid, Domino writes to the console.log:
Domino environment variable (TRANSLOG_MaxSize) is missing or invalid.
Threshold criteria will be based upon all available disk space on the log volume.
Domino then chooses its thresholds based on free disk space on the translog volume. On large volumes this is hard to predict – so an explicit value matched to server load is recommended.

Notes client recommendation (Daniel Nashed)

For translog on a Notes client (e.g. power user, admin, developer), typically:
TRANSLOG_AutoFixup=1
TRANSLOG_UseAll=0
TRANSLOG_Style=0
TRANSLOG_Performance=2
TRANSLOG_Status=1
TRANSLOG_MaxSize=256
TRANSLOG_Path=c:\translog
256 MB is a proven size for Notes clients (source: Daniel Nashed Blog, long-standing practice).

Examples

Productive server with archive style and 4 GB log area:
TRANSLOG_Status=1
TRANSLOG_Style=1
TRANSLOG_Path=D:\Domino\txn
TRANSLOG_MaxSize=4096
TRANSLOG_Performance=2
Small server with circular style and 192 MB:
TRANSLOG_Status=1
TRANSLOG_Style=0
TRANSLOG_Path=D:\Domino\txn
TRANSLOG_MaxSize=192
TRANSLOG_Performance=2

Notes

  • 64 MB increments – Since each log extent is 64 MB, multiples of 64 should be used (192, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096).
  • Server document is authoritative – Better to change the value in the server document, so that notes.ini and directory replication remain consistent.
  • Effective only after restart – TRANSLOG_MaxSize takes effect at the next server start.
  • DBIID change possible – Drastic shrinks or grows can trigger a DBIID change; take a full backup after changes.
  • Companion parameters – TRANSLOG_Status, TRANSLOG_Path, TRANSLOG_Style, TRANSLOG_Performance, TRANSLOG_AutoFixup, TRANSLOG_UseAll, TRANSLOG_MAX_ARCHIVE_EXTENTS.

Sources (HCL Product Documentation)