Using qtrees

What you can do with qtrees

You can use qtrees in the following two ways:

• Group files that have the same security style and oplocks setting, such as files related to a particular activity, for example, a project, without having to create a separate volume for them.
• Perform quick and easy backups.

Using a qtree for a project

One way to group files is to set up a qtree for a project, such as one maintaining a database. Setting up a qtree for a project enables you to do the following actions:

• Set the security style of the project without affecting the security style of other projects.

  For example, you use NTFS-style security if the members of the project use Windows files and applications. Another project in another qtree can use UNIX files and applications, while yet another project can use both Windows and UNIX files.

• Set oplocks (if the project uses Windows) as appropriate to the project without affecting other projects.

  For example, if one project uses a database that requires no oplocks, you can turn oplocks Off on that project's qtree. If another project uses oplocks, it can be in another qtree that has oplocks set to On.

• Limit the disk space and number of files available to a project so that it does not use up resources that other projects and users need. As the needs of the projects and available resources change, you can easily change the limits on the qtree. For instructions about managing space using qtrees, see Chapter 13, "Quotas and Maximum Number of Files."

Using a qtree for backups

You can back up individual qtrees. You would do so to

• add flexibility to backup schedules
• modularize backups
• keep the size of each backup to one tape

For details, see Chapter 14, "Data Backup."

Qtree and volume defaults

Volumes and qtrees have the default values shown in the following table.

Note: Quota trees that were created in previous releases of Data ONTAP have, as defaults, UNIX security style and oplocks On.

Moving files between qtrees

In UNIX, you cannot move a file into or out of a qtree with a rename operation. As a result, the mv command on some UNIX systems fails if you try to move a file into or out of a qtree. You can always move the file by copying it, then deleting the original.

In Windows, you can move a file into or out of a qtree.

Copyright © 1999, Network Appliance, Inc. All rights reserved.

Part No. 210-02334
File: qtree1.htm
Last updated: 02/24/99 12:16:56