Skip to main content
NetApp Knowledge Base

What can impact snapshot size and cause snapshot spill

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
Views:
9,400
Visibility:
Public
Votes:
3
Category:
ontap-9
Specialty:
core
Last Updated:

Applies to

  • Data ONTAP operating in 7-Mode
  • Clustered Data ONTAP 8
  • ONTAP 9
  • Snapshots
  • Cloud Volume Ontap

Answer

  • The more the active file system changes and the longer Snapshot copies remain, the more space the copies consume.
  • This is due to the fact that WAFL never overwrites a data block.
  • If a file is modified, updated blocks are written to a new location.
  • If data gets deleted from the active file system, old snapshot copies that contain that data will still point to those blocks, thus, space will not get freed up.
  • Therefore, snapshots can become larger and grow beyond their snap reserve, thus, spilling into AFS (Active File System).
  • If this happens, the user can use one (or a combination) of the following options:
  1. Increase snap reserve (Increase volume's size or enable volume's autosize mode)
  2. Change the Snapshot retention rate
  3. Configure Snapshot autodelete
  4. Backup Snapshots to DR

Additional Information

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.