Skip to main content
NetApp Knowledge Base

What is a PIT file in Data ONTAP?

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
Views:
426
Visibility:
Public
Votes:
1
Category:
ontap-9
Specialty:
perf
Last Updated:

Applies to

  • ONTAP 9
  • Clustered Data ONTAP 8.3
  • Data ONTAP 7-mode
  • Any NAS or SAN protocol

Answer

  • A Point-In-Time (PIT) file is a special file used for ODX or Copy Offload procedures.
    • This is also called VAAI Storage Acceleration in ESX.
  • Copy Offload is the process of sending only control data from the client to ONTAP while copying from one folder to another on the same storage node.
    • The contents of the file are transferred internally in ONTAP and the client requests the blocks to be transferred.
    • This is used instead of sending the whole file over the network.
    • This can speed up performance compared to the network, particularly in high client or network load situations
  • The PIT file is the container which ONTAP uses to copy the blocks internally from one folder to another

Additional Information

  • TR-4191 page 11 and 21 discuss further about the PIT file
  • ONTAP may delete the PIT file in rare situations, such as a SnapMirror break. When this happens, an EMS message will be logged similar to this:

    • Thu Sep 24 03:07:09 -0600 [node1: token_mgr_admin: token.pit.file.deleted:notice]: PIT file in volume vol1 was deleted.

 

NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer's responsibility and depends on the customer's ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer's operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document.