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Doc for Storage Foundation for Windows 5.1 NTFS Volume Size Limit

spham68
Level 2

 

Hi,

I was not able to find a KB doc on the NTFS volume size limit when using Storage foundation for windows 5.1.

What is the ntfs volume size limit when formated with default cluster size on 32-bit windows 2003 with sp2?

Is it 16TB ir 15.xTB?

 

Thanks,

 

Steve

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions

Wally_Heim
Level 6
Employee

Hi Steve,

 

NTFS has a volume limit of 16 TB minus 4KB when a 4KB cluster size is used.  This information comes from Microsoft's doc: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc773268%28WS.10%29.aspx.

SFW supports volume sizes that match the largest volume sizes supported by NTFS.

Thanks,

Wally

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6 REPLIES 6

Michael_Black
Level 4
Employee

Hi, Steve.

NTFS is the same whether or not SFW is installed. SFW does not change the filesystem. The filesystem specifications will be the same as on a native Windows system.

Wally_Heim
Level 6
Employee

Hi Steve,

 

NTFS has a volume limit of 16 TB minus 4KB when a 4KB cluster size is used.  This information comes from Microsoft's doc: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc773268%28WS.10%29.aspx.

SFW supports volume sizes that match the largest volume sizes supported by NTFS.

Thanks,

Wally

spham68
Level 2

Thank you, Wally for the information. But I did see a KB doc from Symantec website last year that list out the maximum size limits based on the symantec storage foundation for windows, it is little bit different than the Microsoft side. 

 

Thanks,

 

Steve

Marianne
Moderator
Moderator
Partner    VIP    Accredited Certified

I found a very old TN that still seems valid and confirms what Michael and Wally said:

http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH17469

The volume size limitation for Volume Manager or Storage Foundation is dependent on the limitations set by the file system, operating system, and hardware. Consult the operating system and hardware documentation for actual volume size limits.

Wally_Heim
Level 6
Employee

Hi Steve,

 

I'm not able to find the Symantec tech note that you mention that lists the specific maximum size limits for NTFS volumes based on cluster allocation unit size.  However, SFW does support all volume sizes that are supported by NTFS.

 

Microsoft has some calculations on their website on how to calculate the maximum volume size for a given cluster allocation unit size used.  As a guideline, a 4KB cluster size will have a max volume size of 16TB.  While a 64KB cluster size will have a max volume size of 256 TB (the largest volume supported by SFW and NTFS at this time.)

 

Thanks,

Wally

Daniel_Schnack
Level 4
Employee Accredited Certified

Steve,

If you can find the technote again, we can review it and make any necessary modifications that are necessary (including having it pulled from the knowledge base).

Thank you,

Daniel