What happens when the directory size reaches the set maxdirsize value?
Applies to
- ONTAP 9
- Cloud Volumes ONTAP
- Data ONTAP 8
- Directory
- Max Directory size error - AutoSupport message
Answer
When a directory hits the maximum default or configured value of maxdirsize, new file creates will fail.
- An out of space error (ENOSPC) is issued to the client.
- A Max Directory size error - AutoSupport message similar to the following will also be triggered via EMS:
Mon Oct 25 08:06:04 -0600 [sj-filer01-01: wafl_exempt09: wafl.dir.size.max:error]: Directory size for fileid 10386 in volume
vol1 reached the maxdirsize limit.
Note: Depending on timing, new files may continue to be created if there is a background cleanup operation running (i.e. a snap delete).
- This error can be misleading to storage administrators because they imply an actual capacity issue when the problem in this case has to do with file count.
- Always check the ONTAP event log to narrow down problems when clients report seeing capacity issues.