Understand Data Retention and the Tracking Timestamp

STA retains data indefinitely as a historical record and never deletes data. It uses a start tracking timestamp and stop tracking timestamp to track resources within the system.

When STA begins tracking a resource (library, drive, or media), STA assigns the resource an STA Start Tracking timestamp. If you remove the resource from the library environment, STA assigns it an STA Stop Tracking timestamp. If you re-add the resource later, the STA Start Tracking attribute reflects the original timestamp assigned when STA first began tracking the resource.

Data for removed resources may be hidden from the STA data screens depending on the Data Handling settings for your username. The data has not be removed from the database, only hidden within the STA interface.

Although STA never deletes data, periodically the MySQL Event Scheduler purges processed SNMP records from the database to minimize database growth.

See Also:

• What Happens to Data When Drives and Media Are Removed
• What Happens to Data When Libraries Are Removed