There are two (2) types of UNIX files; Dynamic and Static.
Static files have a fixed size and will not automatically increase in size. In order to increase their size, you must first run FILE.SIZE to analyze all UNIX files. This should be run towards the end of the month, prior to purges and during the day. Some files are cleared out at the end of the day, as well as at month-end, and therefore, running this during the day (and prior to month-end) will analyze the file before it is cleared out. Once the files are analyzed, then the actual resizing process (RESIZE.FILES) can be run anytime thereafter. When the resizing is occurring, NO processes can be running (i.e. ATM’s, Home Banking, Voice Response, any other ULTRAFIS process). The only user that should be logged into the system is the operator that is running the resize program. If disk mirroring is used, the backup of the mirror can be running. The FILE.SIZE process should be run every 2-3 months to ensure efficient file sizes. This process will NOT decrease the file size, which may be necessary after a substantial purge of a file has occurred. Specific files can be downsized manually if needed, which will then reflect when df or bdf is run to display the UNIX file system utilization.
Dynamic files will automatically increase in size as needed, without taking down any modules and with users on the system. Just like Static files, Dynamic files will NOT decrease in file size as needed. Specific files can be downsized manually if needed, which will then reflect when df or bdf is run to display the UNIX file system utilization. Although Dynamic files are more beneficial, since the resizing will occur during normal processing, the FILE.SIZE and RESIZE.FILES process needs to be run every 3-4 months. Even though the Dynamic file is increasing as needed, the file needs to be analyzed to ensure that the proper Modulo and Separator are being used. The Modulo and Separator are used to calculate the appropriate the file size to ensure maximum efficiency. The analysis occurs during the FILE.SIZE process.
In order to determine if you have Static or Dynamic files, you can run the following UNIX command at the $ or # prompt within the /data/LIVE file (LIVE = name of your system i.e. /data/SSSFCU).
$ ls -l | pg
This will display several columns of information about your UNIX files. The first column of information may look like -rxwrwxrwx or drwxrwxrwx. If most of the files have a ‘d’ as the first character versus a hyphen, this implies ‘directory’ and therefore most of your files are Dynamic. Not all UNIX files will be Dynamic. You many want to hit RETURN several times to determine what type the majority of your UNIX files are set to.
If your system has Static files and you would rather they be Dynamic, you should first run FILE.SIZE, run all applicable system purges, then RESIZE.FILES. You can then coordinate with ULTRADATA Engineering Support to enable Dynamic files. The majority of the Credit Unions I have visited or work with have Dynamic files, as this seems to be the preferred preference.