6.5 HP StoreAll OS User Guide

Removing the retention period
When you remove the retention period from a retained file, the file becomes a WORM file. On
the WORM/Data Retention – File Administration dialog box, select Remove Retention Period and
specify the appropriate file.
Removing the WORM attribute from a file
You cannot remove the WORM attribute from a file. If you need to modify a WORM file that has
been retained, copy the file elsewhere, delete the original file (administratively if necessary), then
copy the file back as a normal file.
Deleting a file administratively
This option allows you to delete a file that is under the control of a data retention policy. On the
WORM/Data Retention – File Administration dialog box, select Administrative Delete and specify
the appropriate file.
CAUTION: Deleting files administratively removes them from the file system, regardless of the
data retention policy.
How autocommit and data retention are calculated
Some files might not be retained or a file might have a reduced retention period, depending on
the defined autocommit and retention periods. Although a time period is set for autocommit and
retention, there are other factors considered before autocommit or retention is applied, such as
when the file’s contents or metadata were last changed (ctime) and when only the file’s contents
were last changed (mtime). The ctime value is used to determine when autocommit should be
applied. Once a decision is made about autocommit, the mtime is used to calculate the retention
period.
Autocommit is calculated as follows:
ctime (T) + autocommit (x min) >= current system time = autocommit is applied
For example, the autocommit period is 10 minutes. If ctime (T) + autocommit (10 min), which is
T+10, and the current time is equal to or greater than T+10, then autocommit is applied.
Data retention is calculated as follows:
mtime + autocommit period + retention period = retention expiration time
If the retention expiration time is greater than the current system time, then the file is retained for
the amount of time that equals retention expiration time minus the current system time. If not, the
file is not retained.
For example:
• A file (a.txt) is created on a non-StoreAll file system (fs1). On fs1, the ctime and mtime both
equal T.
• The a.txt file is copied to a StoreAll file system (fs2) one hour later. On fs2, the ctime is T+1
hour and the mtime is still T.
• fs2 has an autocommit period of 10 minutes and a data retention period of 30 minutes.
When the 10 minute autocommit period has passed (T + 1 hour + 10 min), the copy is
autocommitted.
For retention of the file on fs2, the mtime is T, the autocommit period is 10 minutes and the retention
period is 30 minutes:
Mtime (T) + autocommit period (10 min) + retention period (30 min) < current system time (T + 1
hour + 10 min) = the retention period has expired
284 Managing data retention