# Multiple instances on one config file
**URL:** https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245
**Category:** Logstash
**Created:** [May 10, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245 "2017-05-10T12:57:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bertvervaele](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/bertvervaele)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/1 "2017-05-10T12:57:15Z")
I was using logstash-5.2.2 but did an upgrade today to logstash-5.4.0 .
In 5.2.2 I could just do
> bin/logstash -f oracle.conf
> and
> bin/logstash -f linux.conf
without a problem. But now on 5.4.0 when I try the second command I get
` [2017-05-10T14:47:51,092][FATAL][logstash.runner] Logstash could not be started because there is already another instance using the configured data directory. If you wish to run multiple instances, you must change the "path.data" setting.`
So how can I run those 2 config files without maken a whole new directory.
Greatings Bert
---
### Author:  [@magnusbaeck](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/magnusbaeck)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/2 "2017-05-10T13:59:43Z")
The `--path.data` option can be used to set the data directory uniquely for each instance.
[https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/5.4/running-logstash-command-line.html](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/5.4/running-logstash-command-line.html)
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### Author:  [@bertvervaele](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/bertvervaele)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/3 "2017-05-10T14:04:45Z")
Is this new in 5.4? didn't have to do this in 5.2
And thnaks
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### Author:  [@magnusbaeck](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/magnusbaeck)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2017, 2:08pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/4 "2017-05-10T14:08:35Z")
I don't know. Check the release notes.
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### Author:  [@Guru\_Raja\_Y](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Guru_Raja_Y)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/5 "2017-05-29T05:31:10Z")
Looks like this is new issue in 5.4. I am also facing same problem
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### Author:  [@tomx1](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/tomx1)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/6 "2017-06-12T13:59:52Z")
Same here ☹
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### Author:  [@tomx1](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/tomx1)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/7 "2017-06-13T06:25:42Z")
As far as i can see nothing is mentioned about this in the release notes:
[https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/logstash-5-4-0.html](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/logstash-5-4-0.html)
[https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/logstash-5-4-1.html](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/logstash-5-4-1.html)
But i assume this has something to to with the new persistent queue feature which may require uniqe path.data. I downgraded now to 5.3.
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### Author:  [@magnusbaeck](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/magnusbaeck)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2017, 7:22am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/8 "2017-06-13T07:22:46Z")
> I downgraded now to 5.3.
I don't understand. Why not just use different data directories for your different instances?
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### Author:  [@tomx1](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/tomx1)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2017, 7:45am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/9 "2017-06-13T07:45:45Z")
In my case i have modified the logstash initscript to start each config file in /etc/logstash/conf.d in a different instance using the same logstash service configfile (/etc/logstash/logstash.yml).
path.data is specified in logstash.yml, so to get this working again, i would have to modify the initskript to create a logstash.yml for each logstash config on the fly using differnt path.data setting for each instance,...
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### Author:  [@magnusbaeck](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/magnusbaeck)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2017, 7:50am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/10 "2017-06-13T07:50:36Z")
I don't think you need a unique logstash.yml for each instance. Passing a unique value for the `--path.data` command line option should be enough.
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### Author:  [@tomx1](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/tomx1)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2017, 7:56am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/11 "2017-06-13T07:56:36Z")
I will give that a try, thanks!
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### Author:  [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)
#### Post date: [July 11, 2017, 7:56am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/multiple-instances-on-one-config-file/85245/12 "2017-07-11T07:56:45Z")
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