A retention period is the date after which Data ONTAP permits the deletion of a write once, read many (WORM) file on a SnapLock volume.
Regulatory environments require that records be retained for a long period. Every record committed to the WORM state on a SnapLock volume can have an individual retention period associated with it. Data ONTAP enforces retention of these records until the retention period is reached. After the retention period is over, the disposition of the records automatically changes to allow deletion, but not modification. Data ONTAP does not automatically delete any record. All records must be deleted by using an application or manually.
SnapLock allows the retention period to be extended. However, it does not allow the retention period to be shortened.