Configuration

The cassandra.yaml configuration file

The cassandra.yaml file is the main configuration file for Cassandra.

Important: After changing properties in the cassandra.yaml file, you must restart the node for the changes to take effect. It is located in the following directories:

• Cassandra package installations: /etc/cassandra
• Cassandra tarball installations: install_location/conf
• DataStax Enterprise package installations: /etc/dse/cassandra
• DataStax Enterprise tarball installations: install_location/resources/cassandra/conf

The configuration properties are grouped into the following sections:

• Quick start: The minimal properties needed for configuring a cluster.
• Commonly used: Properties most frequently used when configuring Cassandra.
• Performance tuning: Tuning performance and system resource utilization, including commit log, compaction, memory, disk I/O, CPU, reads, and writes.
• Advanced: Properties for advanced users or properties that are less commonly used.
• Security: Server and client security settings.

Note: Values with note mark default values that are defined internally, missing, or commented out, or whose implementation depends on other properties in the cassandra.yaml file. Additionally, some commented-out values may not match the actual default values. These are recommended alternatives to the default values.