VictoriaMetrics Data loss

What is VictoriaMetrics Data loss

Understanding VictoriaMetrics

VictoriaMetrics is a fast, cost-effective, and scalable time-series database and monitoring solution. It is designed to handle large volumes of data efficiently, making it ideal for monitoring systems and applications. VictoriaMetrics supports Prometheus querying API, making it compatible with existing Prometheus setups.

Identifying the Symptom: Data Loss

Data loss in VictoriaMetrics can manifest as missing metrics, incomplete data points, or gaps in time-series data. Users may notice that certain queries return incomplete results or that historical data is missing from dashboards.

Exploring the Issue: Causes of Data Loss

Data loss in VictoriaMetrics can occur due to several reasons:

Improper Shutdowns: Abrupt shutdowns can lead to data not being flushed from memory to disk. Disk Failures: Hardware failures can corrupt data files or make them inaccessible. Configuration Errors: Misconfigured settings can prevent data from being written or retained correctly.

Improper Shutdowns

VictoriaMetrics relies on proper shutdown procedures to ensure data integrity. Abrupt shutdowns can result in data loss if data in memory is not written to disk.

Disk Failures

Disk failures can lead to data corruption or loss. Regular disk health checks and monitoring can help mitigate this risk.

Steps to Fix Data Loss Issues

Implement Regular Backups

Regular backups are crucial for data recovery. Use the following command to create a snapshot of your data:

curl -X POST http://:8428/snapshot/create

Ensure that snapshots are stored in a reliable and redundant storage system.

Ensure Proper Shutdown Procedures

Always use the following command to gracefully shut down VictoriaMetrics:

kill -SIGINT

This ensures that all data is properly flushed to disk before shutdown.

Verify Configuration Settings

Check your VictoriaMetrics configuration for any errors. Ensure that the -retentionPeriod and -storageDataPath settings are correctly configured. Refer to the official documentation for more details.

Monitor Disk Health

Regularly monitor disk health using tools like smartmontools to detect and address potential disk failures early.

Conclusion

Data loss in VictoriaMetrics can be mitigated by implementing regular backups, ensuring proper shutdown procedures, verifying configuration settings, and monitoring disk health. By following these steps, you can enhance the reliability and integrity of your time-series data.