# Using Maxmind databases without access to ES cluster **URL:** \ **Category:** Elasticsearch\ **Created:** [August 1, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736 "2023-08-01T01:46:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hjazz6](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/hjazz6/32/79007_2.png) [@hjazz6](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/hjazz6)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/1 "2023-08-01T01:46:53Z")
Hi, I'm using a ES cluster (v8.8.0) running on Kubenetes that is managed by someone else, and I was told by them that I would not be able to directly access the cluster. Previously, when I was managing my own cluster running on physical servers, I could just put the Maxmind geoloc databases into the `$ES_CONFIG/ingest-geoip` folder, but it seems like that is no longer possible now. The "custom endpoint" solution on this [page](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/8.8/geoip-processor.html#manually-update-geoip-databases) still requires access to the ES cluster in order to change the configuration, so I don't think it would work. Is there any other way where the ES cluster can still somehow read the Maxmind database without first requiring access to the cluster? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![stephenb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/stephenb/32/40856_2.png) [@stephenb](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/stephenb)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 5:06am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/2 "2023-08-01T05:06:51Z")
Hi @hjazz6 Confused....what has changed? > 1. On self-managed deployments copy the database files to $ES\_CONFIG/ingest-geoip. > > 2. In your geoip processors, configure the database\_file parameter to use a custom database file. ---
**Author:** ![hjazz6](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/hjazz6/32/79007_2.png) [@hjazz6](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/hjazz6)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 5:36am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/3 "2023-08-01T05:36:00Z")
Hi @stephenb I'm not able to access the ES nodes to copy the files to `$ES_CONFIG/ingest-geoip`, nor am I able to configure `elasticsearch.yml` or run `./bin/elasticsearch-geoip` to point to the custom database. So I'm wondering if I have no access to the ES node, is there any other way to still be able to somehow use the Maxmind databases. ---
**Author:** ![stephenb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/stephenb/32/40856_2.png) [@stephenb](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/stephenb)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/4 "2023-08-01T20:51:36Z")
Not as far as I know... the methods available are listed on the [page]([GeoIP processor | Elasticsearch Guide [8.8] | Elastic](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/8.8/geoip-processor.html#manage-geoip-database-updates) you referred to....Somebody needs access to elasticsearch. I take it you are loading custom files? The defaults get updated every 30 days I believe. ---
**Author:** ![hjazz6](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/hjazz6/32/79007_2.png) [@hjazz6](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/hjazz6)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/5 "2023-08-02T00:52:21Z")
Yes, I'll be loading custom files. May I know if I need to configure every ES node (I have 6 data and 3 master nodes) to point to the custom files (or place the files in every node), or just do it on a few specific nodes, e.g. just the 3 master nodes? ---
**Author:** ![stephenb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/stephenb/32/40856_2.png) [@stephenb](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/stephenb)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2023, 4:47am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/6 "2023-08-02T04:47:38Z")
Data nodes... Not master nodes if the masters are master only If they are master + data nodes then on them too ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 4:47am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/using-maxmind-databases-without-access-to-es-cluster/339736/7 "2023-08-30T04:47:39Z")
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