1578103 : Belle2: Daten unter /pnfs/

Created: 2026-02-19T11:47:09Z - current status: new

Here is the anonymized and summarized version of the reported issue:

Summary of Issue

A user reports that a directory in dCache (/pnfs/desy.de/[EXPERIMENT]/local/user/[ACCOUNT]) was automatically renamed to include the suffix .TO_BE_REMOVED.[DATE]. The user fears that the data in this directory will soon be deleted and seeks a way to preserve and continue accessing it for ongoing work with a new team member.

Possible Solution

  1. Check the Experiment’s Data Retention Policy:
  2. The renaming suggests the directory may be subject to a lifecycle policy (e.g., for inactive accounts or expired affiliations).

  3. The user should contact the experiment-specific support team (e.g., naf-belle-support@desy.de for Belle II) to clarify:

    • Whether the data can be restored or moved to a group directory (which is exempt from automatic deletion).
    • If the original account holder’s supervisor can request recovery (as per DUST lifecycle policy).

  4. Immediate Action:

  5. If the data is critical, the user should copy it to a safe location (e.g., a DUST-group directory or another storage system) before the deletion deadline (typically 180 days after renaming).

  6. For dCache, writes may require experiment-specific tools (e.g., grid frameworks). The experiment admins can advise on the correct procedure.

  7. Prevent Future Issues:

  8. Ensure data is stored in group directories (not user directories) for long-term projects.
  9. Regularly review and clean up user directories to avoid automatic cleanup.

Sources Used

  1. DUST Lifecycle Policy
  2. Experiment Support Contacts
  3. dCache Documentation