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P4 Server Administration Documentation | 2025.2

# Change the location of server components on the same machine

You can change the location of the following server components on the same machine: P4ROOT, P4PORT, Depot, Log, P4 Server executable.

## P4ROOT

The P4 Server database (`db.*`) files are located in P4ROOT, the server root directory. If you change `P4ROOT`, you must also move the database files to that new location.

`P4ROOT` defaults to the p4d executable directory.

You can change the value of `P4ROOT` by using the `p4d -r startup` command or by setting the `P4ROOT` environment variable. Changing the value while the server is running is safe because the value is only read when the server is starting.

If the server is started as a Windows Service, you can change the server root by using p4 set. For example:

`p4 set -S "Perforce" P4ROOT=E:\Perforce`

The default service name is "Perforce". If you are running multiple P4 Server service instances, specify `P4ROOT` for each instance separately.

## P4PORT

The server port, `P4PORT`, defaults to `1666`.

You can change `P4PORT` by using the `p4d -p startup` command or by setting the `P4PORT` environment variable.

Changing the value while the server is running is safe because the value is only read when the server is starting.

If the server is started as a Windows Service, you can change the server port by using p4 set. For example:

`p4 set -S "Perforce" P4PORT=1669`

Unless you are using the limited free license, submit a Change of Server Request to get a new license for the new port before to changing the `P4PORT` value.

### P4TARGET and multiple servers

If you have edge, replica, or standby servers, consider whether the `P4TARGET` for those servers needs to be changed.

## Depot

By default, all depot directories are created relative to `P4ROOT`. You can change that relative location by using the `server.depot.root` configurable.

Alternatively, the `Map` field in individual depot specifications can be changed to use an absolute path:

`p4 depot depotName`

On Windows, the absolute path needs to include the drive letter for the path.

For detailed steps on how to move the depot location safely, see Set a depot location.

## Journal

The live journal file name defaults to `journal` in `P4ROOT`.

You can change its name and path by either:

- starting the server with the `-J journal` option of the p4d utility. See General options of the P4 Server (p4d) reference

- setting the value of the P4JOURNAL environment variable. The change takes effect when the server is restarted.

If you specify a relative path, make it relative to the server root.

Before you change the journal file location, shut down the server (or stop the Windows service):

Example Steps | Command
--- | ---
1. Shut down the server. | `p4 admin stop`
2. Copy the journal to its new location. | `copy %P4ROOT%\journal D:\JOURNAL\perforce_journal`
3a. For a Windows service, change the environmental variable to point to the new journal location. | `p4 set -S "Perforce" P4JOURNAL=D:\JOURNAL\perforce_journal`
3b. Start the server using the new journal location. | For a Windows Service: `net start Perforce` From the command line: `p4d -r %P4ROOT% -J D:\JOURNAL\perforce_journal`
4a. Take a checkpoint of the server running with the journal at the new location. 4b. Verify that the journal in the new location is OK. 4c. Delete the journal at the old location. | `del %P4ROOT%\journal`

## Log

The server log defaults to standard error. You can change the log name and path with the `-L` option or by setting the P4LOG environment variable.

Example:

    p4 admin stop
    p4 set -S "Perforce" P4LOG=D:\LOG\perforce_log
    net start Perforce

## P4 Server executable

In general, the P4 Server executable is located in a directory that can be found by your operating system's search path. For example, it can be located in `/usr/local/bin` on UNIX, or the default `C:\Program Files\Perforce\Server\` on Windows. You can move the p4d executable to its new location, and then make sure that it can be located by your startup script or command.

The P4 Server on Windows is usually started as a Windows Service, and the path to the `p4s.exe` executable is set in the registry. To change this, run the installer.

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