VictoriaMetrics Data not retained

Data may not be retained due to incorrect retention settings or misconfigured policies.

Understanding VictoriaMetrics

VictoriaMetrics is a fast, cost-effective, and scalable time-series database designed to handle large volumes of data efficiently. It is widely used for monitoring systems and storing metrics from various sources. Its primary purpose is to provide high-performance storage and retrieval of time-series data.

Identifying the Symptom

One common issue users may encounter is that data is not retained as expected. This can manifest as missing data points or entire datasets disappearing after a certain period. Users may notice that historical data is unavailable when querying the database.

Exploring the Issue

Retention Settings

The root cause of data not being retained often lies in incorrect retention settings. VictoriaMetrics allows users to configure how long data should be kept before being purged. If these settings are not correctly configured, data may be deleted prematurely.

Misconfigured Policies

Another potential cause is misconfigured retention policies. These policies dictate the lifecycle of data within the database. If they are not set up correctly, it can lead to unintended data loss.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

Review Retention Settings

Begin by reviewing the retention settings in your VictoriaMetrics configuration. Check the -retentionPeriod flag, which specifies the duration for which data should be retained. Ensure it is set to the desired value. For example, to retain data for 30 days, use:

./victoria-metrics -retentionPeriod=30d

For more details on configuring retention, refer to the official documentation.

Verify Policy Configuration

Next, verify that your retention policies are correctly configured. Check the configuration files or environment variables that define these policies. Ensure they align with your data retention requirements.

Check Logs for Errors

Examine the VictoriaMetrics logs for any retention-related errors. Logs can provide insights into why data might not be retained. Look for messages indicating issues with retention settings or policy application. Use the following command to view logs:

tail -f /var/log/victoriametrics.log

Conclusion

By carefully reviewing and adjusting retention settings and policies, you can ensure that your data is retained as expected in VictoriaMetrics. Always refer to the official documentation for the most accurate and detailed guidance.

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