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What is maxdir-size?

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Applies to

  • ONTAP 9
  • Cloud Volumes ONTAP
  • Maximum Directory Size (maxdir-size)

Answer

  • Maxdir-size is a volume option that limits the maximum size of each directory's meta file, which contains the names of all files in each directory.
  • What is directory size?
  • Depending on the length of the file names, maxdir-size determines the number of files a directory can hold.
  • The default maxdir-size is 320MB in ONTAP 9.14.1 and higher. 
    • Assuming an average file length of 78 characters, a directory with this setting will hold up to 4.3 million files.
    • Because each name consumes bytes in the directory name file, the actual number of files depends on the length of the file names.  
  • Most environments do not need to change this setting.
  • The default value of 320MB can be increased.  See: How to modify the maxdir-size in ONTAP 9.

Additional Information

 FAQ - ONTAP maximum directory size (maxdir-size)

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