The abbreviation WORM stands for "write once, read many." A WORM file has a property that data can be written only once to any area of the file and can never be overwritten or erased before the retention period expires.
In some cases, this feature is a property of the physical media (such as with WORM optical platters). In other cases, the physical media is rewritable, but the integrated hardware and software code controlling access to the media prevent such overwrites (such as with WORM magnetic tape and disk-based SnapLock).
In regulated environments, the regulating body, such as the SEC, normally requires that all business records that fall under the umbrella of the regulations be archived on WORM media. This is to maintain a non-erasable and non-rewritable electronic paper trail that can be used for discovery or investigation.
After a file on a SnapLock volume is committed to the WORM state, there is only one attribute that can be modified—the retention date of the file can be extended. The retention period can never be shortened.
Copyright © 1994-2008, NetApp, Inc. All rightsreserved.
Part No. 210-04296_A0
First edition, for Data ONTAP 7.3.1 on 12 December 2008
