Network Management

SolarWinds Platform Database Server free space is overallocated to Syslog messages

This article describes how to troubleshoot an issue with SolarWinds Network Performance Manager (NPM) where the SQL Server Database Server (SQL Server) free space is overallocated to syslog messages. Truncate Syslog table and release unused space from DB

First published date

10/25/2018 2:28 PM

Last published date

5/12/2025 3:57 PM

Overview

While checking the actual SolarWinds database size and the occupied space on the SQL server disk is not the same due to unused space was used on the database

See this Microsoft TechNet KB article for additional details.

Product section

Orion Platform

Resolution

Steps 

  1. Ensure that Syslogs retention is set at default 7 Days
  2. Change the database recovery model from Full to Simple. 
  3. Recover the Orion Database Server (SQL Server) .LDF log file file (if it grows out of control).
  4. Truncate the Syslog table.
  5. Release the unused space for the SQL Server database (.mdf) file. 

Verify Syslogs Retention

Log Analyzer or Log Viewer

  1. Log in to the SolarWinds Platform Web Console.
  2. Go to Settings > All Settings > Product Specific Settings > Log and Event Settings.
  3. Click RETENTION.
  4. Change the value for SYSLOGS AND TRAPS.
    Note: The default value is 7 days.
  5. Click Submit to save changes.

Change the database recovery model from Full to Simple 

  1. Open SQL Server Enterprise Manager or SQL Server Management Studio.
  2. Expand the server group.
  3. Expand your database server.
  4. Expand Databases.
  5. Right-click the NetPerfMon database and select Options. 
  6. In the Model list, click Simple.
  7. Save your changes.
  8. Run the checkpoint command


Recover the Database Server (SQL Server) .LDF log file 

  1. Stop all SolarWinds services. See How to Start, Stop, or Restart SolarWinds Services with the SolarWinds Service Manager in the SolarWinds Platform.
  2. Open SQL Server Management Studio.
  3. Connect to your Database Server (SQL Server). 
  4. Right-click your SolarWinds Platform database and select All Tasks > Shrink > Files. 
  5. Set the File Type to Log. 

    Note: Filegroup is not an available option.

  6. Check the option of "Reorganize pages before releasing the unused space" 
  7. Set the Shrink File value to 0 MB, then click OK.

    Note: This step may require several minutes to complete for each GB. 
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  8. Restart all SolarWinds services. See How to Start, Stop, or Restart SolarWinds Services with the SolarWinds Service Manager in the SolarWinds Platform.

    The transaction log file size is reduced.