IBM Support

IBM i System Limit for Maximum Number of Spooled Files

Question & Answer


Question

How do I know if the maximum number of spooled files on the system is being reached?

Cause

An enhancement has been made for two Ideas:
CPF warning when system has reached 90% of 2.6 Million spool files:  https://ibm-power-systems.ideas.ibm.com/ideas/IBMI-I-2280
Warning message to indicate maximum number of spooled files on system is approaching:  https://ibm-power-systems.ideas.ibm.com/ideas/IBMI-I-3131 

Answer

From System limit alerts:  https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5?topic=services-system-limit-alerts
Once each day, the IBM i will look for any limits that have surpassed their alerting level. This happens when Collection Services is recycled, typically just past midnight. At this time, a call is made to the QSYS2.PROCESS_SYSTEM_LIMITS_ALERTS procedure to identify and signal any alerts for the day.
Limit ID 19002 is for the maximum number of spooled files on the system.  The maximum number of spooled files on the system ASP is 2,610,000. If the number of spooled files on the system exceeds 90%, or 2,349,000 spooled files, message SQL7062 will be sent to QSYSOPR.
Reaching the maximum number of spooled files on the system will stop all spooling on the system.  No more spooled files can be generated including job logs.  To recover, spooled files must be deleted.  For example, if job logs or other system output in QEZJOBLOG and QEZDEBUG output queues are not needed, clearing the output queues will help in the short term:
CLROUTQ OUTQ(QUSRSYS/QEZJOBLOG)
CLROUTQ OUTQ(QUSRSYS/QEZDEBUG)
For longer term solutions to help maintain the number of spooled files on the system to avoid reaching the maximum, review QSPL Storage Cleanup Tips:  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/qspl-storage-cleanup-tips.
For more detail on system limits and alerts:
Alerts for IBM i System Limits:  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1116795

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Document Information

Modified date:
14 June 2024

UID

ibm17157643