Full re-index need backup?

[rodrigo.palazzolli]

Hi, I need execute a full re-index in my Jira instance to try resolve a problem, do I need to realize a backup before of full re-index? If yes, what I need make a backup?

About the problem if someone can to help or to know about: the Jira is with problem in return results of the queries, don't return all results how issues, for example, I to search find the issues with an specific word or phrase, the search return some issues but always fault some, so I think that a full re-index can help, because a background reindex don't resolved the problem.

Thank you.

[Brant Schroeder · Accepted solution]

@rodrigo.palazzolli 

If you are performing a full reindex there shouldn't be a reason to have to backup your instance.  You can learn more about how to perform an index here https://confluence.atlassian.com/adminjiraserver/search-indexing-938847710.html#:~:text=Access%20Jira%20on%20the%20node,make%20sure%20everything%20looks%20fine.

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Just so you can tell others that @Brant Schroeder is spot-on if they ask for more tech detail:

A Jira index is a pile of local files Jira generates from the database.  They help it do most of its day-to-day work a lot faster than if it had to read the database for everything. 

The reindex function rebuilds a clean index from the database.  

So, there's no point backing up before reindexing.  If your reindex goes wrong, the absolute worst case is searches don't work, and the fix is to do a full reindex!