The largest file that can be created on UNIX is dependent on the block size of the file system where the file is located. A block size that is too small can limit the maximum file size, which can lead to unexpected errors when running SAS® programs.

For example, a PROC SQL step could generate the following error:

   ERROR: Sort execution failure.

When you check the location where utility files are written (either the SAS WORK library or the location specified by the UTILLOC system option), you might find that the file system has a large amount of free space, but a utility file write fails when attempting to create a file larger than 16GB. This is the file size limit with a block size of 1KB on some file system types; other block sizes and file system types impose other maximum file sizes. Refer to the UNIX man pages to determine the specific limits for your system.

Other errors may point to a "possible disk full condition", or state that a "file is full" when you attempt to create large data sets, even though ample free space remains.

For information on Windows file size limits, see SAS Note 13334.

Operating System and Release Information

Product Family	Product	System	SAS Release
			Reported	Fixed*
SAS System	N/A	64-bit Enabled AIX
		64-bit Enabled HP-UX
		64-bit Enabled Solaris
		ABI+ for Intel Architecture
		AIX
		HP-UX
		HP-UX IPF
		IRIX
		Linux
		Linux for x64
		Linux on Itanium
		Solaris
		Solaris for x64
		Tru64 UNIX

* For software releases that are not yet generally available, the Fixed Release is the software release in which the problem is planned to be fixed.

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The largest file that can be created on UNIX is dependent on the block size defined for the file system. A setting that is too small can lead to unexpected errors when working with large files.

Type:	Usage Note
Priority:
Topic:	System Administration ==> Performance System Administration ==> system administration

Date Modified:	2011-03-18 18:50:30
Date Created:	2011-03-15 11:52:59