Data file directory appears to be using loads of space after instance restart, but data files don't appear to be getting any larger

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Data file directory appears to be using loads of space after instance restart, but data files don't appear to be getting any larger

kcorbett 90007

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Points: 358
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August 29, 2017 at 2:18 am

#323318

Hi,
I was wondering if someone could give me pointers on the issue I'm experiencing. I'm an accidental DBA so any help would be much appreciated.
I have noticed recently that the directory our data files are located as been using a lot of space. I put some monitoring in place when I became the accidental DBA to help with capacity planning etc. See below for the data file directory space over the last few days.
Drive MBFree CaptureDate
New Volume    100003.00    2017-08-28 20:30:00.740
New Volume    108705.00    2017-08-27 20:30:00.610
New Volume    113904.00    2017-08-26 20:30:01.043
New Volume    119259.00    2017-08-25 20:30:01.217
New Volume    127324.00    2017-08-24 20:30:00.493
New Volume    132642.00    2017-08-24 08:50:39.720
New Volume    12701.00    2017-08-23 20:30:01.323
New Volume    29911.00    2017-08-22 20:30:00.823
New Volume    41766.00    2017-08-21 20:30:01.173
New Volume    46565.00    2017-08-20 20:30:00.367
New Volume    46565.00    2017-08-19 20:30:01.237
New Volume    46566.00    2017-08-18 20:30:00.757
As you can see from above, drive space was pretty consistent prior to 20th August, however the instance had to be restarted on the 21st due to network issues. On the 23rd I noticed that the file was filling up and remove an old backup that was also on the drive. But the drive seems to be consistently increasing over the last few days.
I also monitor the space of the different databases using the FileInfo.sql query attached, however none seem to have grow radically to explain the data directory space usage. I have attached the sample output from my FileInfo.sql.
As you can see from FileInfoResults, no data files seem to have grown. Am I missing something or recording incorrect metrics? ANy help would be great.
Thanks

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Ant-Green SSC Guru Points: 113507 More actions · Answer 1

Do you have things like VSS enabled on that drive or backup software which uses VSS? Maybe install something like TreeSize or WinDirStat to see what is using the space on the drive.

Cant see anything strange on that excel sheet, everything looks good apart from you might want to start to size your databases save them from auto growing.

kcorbett 90007 Old Hand Points: 358 More actions · Answer 2

Hi Anthony

Thanks for the steer.

I downloaded WinDirStat, but it doesn't show anything else in that directory only the data files.

Below is the latest space usage on the drive.

Drive    MBFree    CaptureDate
New Volume    85549.00    2017-08-29 20:30:00.440
New Volume    100003.00    2017-08-28 20:30:00.740

If you have any other ideas, let me know.

I've spoke to our network admin so that they can check the backup software.

Thanks

Arsh SSCertifiable Points: 6354 More actions · Answer 3

kcorbett 90007 - Tuesday, August 29, 2017 2:18 AM
Hi,
I was wondering if someone could give me pointers on the issue I'm experiencing. I'm an accidental DBA so any help would be much appreciated.
I have noticed recently that the directory our data files are located as been using a lot of space. I put some monitoring in place when I became the accidental DBA to help with capacity planning etc. See below for the data file directory space over the last few days.
Drive MBFree CaptureDate
New Volume    100003.00    2017-08-28 20:30:00.740
New Volume    108705.00    2017-08-27 20:30:00.610
New Volume    113904.00    2017-08-26 20:30:01.043
New Volume    119259.00    2017-08-25 20:30:01.217
New Volume    127324.00    2017-08-24 20:30:00.493
New Volume    132642.00    2017-08-24 08:50:39.720
New Volume    12701.00    2017-08-23 20:30:01.323
New Volume    29911.00    2017-08-22 20:30:00.823
New Volume    41766.00    2017-08-21 20:30:01.173
New Volume    46565.00    2017-08-20 20:30:00.367
New Volume    46565.00    2017-08-19 20:30:01.237
New Volume    46566.00    2017-08-18 20:30:00.757
As you can see from above, drive space was pretty consistent prior to 20th August, however the instance had to be restarted on the 21st due to network issues. On the 23rd I noticed that the file was filling up and remove an old backup that was also on the drive. But the drive seems to be consistently increasing over the last few days.
I also monitor the space of the different databases using the FileInfo.sql query attached, however none seem to have grow radically to explain the data directory space usage. I have attached the sample output from my FileInfo.sql.
As you can see from FileInfoResults, no data files seem to have grown. Am I missing something or recording incorrect metrics? ANy help would be great.
Thanks

Nothing unusual there from the database perspective . Notice that the size has now started come down as per the last update . May be the application is now being used more , business increased , users increased.