Customizing the MongoDB configuration file

In all the previous recipes of this chapter, we have passed command line flags to the mongod daemon. In this recipe, we will look at how to use the config file as an alternative to passing command line flags.

Getting ready

Nothing special, just make sure you have a MongoDB database installation ready.

How to do it..

1. Start your favorite text editor and add the following in a file called mongod.conf:

storage:
  dbPath: /data/db
  engine: wiredTiger
  directoryPerDB: true
net:
  port: 27000
  bindIp: 127.0.0.1
  ssl:
    mode: requireSSL
    PEMKeyFile: /data/mongo-secure.pem

2. Start your mongod instance:

mongodb/bin/mongod --config /data/mongod.conf

How it works...

MongoDB allows passing command line parameters to mongod using a YAML file. In step 1, we are creating a config file called mongod.conf. We add all the previously used command line parameters from this chapter, into this config file in YAML format. A quick look at the file's content should make it clear that the parameters are divided into sections and relevant subsections. Next, in step 2, we start the mongod instance, but this time with just one parameter --config followed by the path of our config file.

As we saw in earlier recipes, although passing configuration parameters seems normal, it is highly advisable that one should use configuration files instead. Having all parameters in a single configuration file not only makes it easier in terms of viewing the parameters but also helps us programmatically (YAML FTW!) inspect and manage the values of these variables. This simplifies operations and reduces the chance of errors.

There's more...

Do have a look at other parameters available in the configuration file https://docs.mongodb.com/manual/reference/configuration-options/.