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How do I install a Log Database Manually?

Normally the Logging Service creates every Log Database itself: the first one when it starts for the first time, and the next ones when the online one gets too large or too old (see How a new Log Database is created). Manual Log Database creation is for environments where that can't happen: the Logging Service account doesn't get the SQL Server rights to create databases, or your DBAs must create every database themselves.

When to Create Log Databases Manually

  • Security policies – the Logging Service account may not have dbcreator or sysadmin; see SQL Server Sysadmin Requirements.
  • Planned periods – you want to create Log Databases in advance, for example one per quarter.
  • Always On Availability Groups – your DBAs add every database to the availability group themselves; see Always On Availability Groups.
  • Network segmentation – the Log Database lives on an instance the Logging Service can't create databases on.

Tip

For standard deployments, let the Logging Service create Log Databases. Manual creation means you also own the timing: when the online Log Database reaches SizeToSplitDatabaseOn or DaysToSplitDatabaseOn and no new database can be created, logging is affected.

Create a Log Database Manually

Step 1: Choose the Name

Name the database per the LogDatabaseName pattern, for example Nodinite_Prod_Log_20260101, where the environment part comes from EnvironmentName and the date is the start of the period.

Step 2: Deploy the Log Database Schema

Deploy the Log Database DACPAC with SqlPackage.exe, the same way the Update Log Database guide deploys schema updates. Use a command from the guide's Command Line Scripts step and set /TargetDatabaseName to the new name. Keep the recovery model and file locations consistent with LogDatabaseRecovery and LogLocations. Use the latest DacFx version (SqlPackageExecutable).

Step 3: Grant Access

Give every account in LogServiceUsers the database roles in LogAccessRoles on the new database. The rights per Core Service are listed in Prerequisites.

Step 4: Register the Log Database in Nodinite

In the Web Client, open Administration › Settings › Log Databases and add the Log Database with its name, server, and Start Date and End Date. Make sure the periods don't overlap and that only the online Log Database has no End Date.

Next Steps