topic Diskspace not released in Operating System - HP-UX

Diskspace not released

Karin Willems — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:22:30 GMT

Hi !

recently I removed the /etc/rc.log because my root volume (/) was 97% used. The file was quite large (>100Mb) so I expected to have enough space again. However, after deleting the file, no space was released. The file is gone (except for a link in /var/adm/), but my diskspace too! I don't get it, what has happened? I can't find any other large file which can cause this.
I am afraid that, if the system reboots, it will have a problem with this full lvol3.

What can I do to get my diskspace back?

Re: Diskspace not released

Ivan Krastev — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:27:27 GMT

You deleted a file, but it is still used by some application - so the space is showed as usable. Use fuser to see what process use that file and locked it. After reboot new file will be created rc.log and space will be free.

regards,
ivan

Re: Diskspace not released

Gary Cantwell — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:12:59 GMT

Hi Karin,

Please take a moment to assign points to those who have taken the time to assist you, here's how:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/helptips.do?#33

Thanks,

Gary

Re: Diskspace not released

Karin Willems — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 06:58:52 GMT

Thnx, something went wrong. I thought I already assigned the points.

Bye!

Karin

Re: Diskspace not released

Bob_165 — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 23:56:29 GMT

I had this happen several times.

I know this sounds like a Microsoft thing...but you do get the disk space back after a reboot..

Re: Diskspace not released

James R. Ferguson — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:10:23 GMT

Hi Karin:

This is absolutely normal UNIX behavior. The manpages for 'unlink(2)' [the system call to remove a file] tell the tale.

Removing the file decremented its link count, yet one or more processes had the file open. Hence, until such time as there are no users of the file, the disk allocated to the file remains allocated.

Regards!

...JRF...