In Zabbix, what is meant by "data retention"?

In Zabbix, "data retention" refers specifically to the duration for which collected data is stored in the database. This concept is crucial for ensuring that historical data is available for analysis while also managing the overall database size and performance.

Data retention policies allow administrators to define how long different types of data are kept based on their relevance and frequency of use. For example, metrics that are frequently viewed may be retained for a longer period, whereas less critical metrics may be purged sooner.

The focus on database performance and efficient storage management emphasizes why this aspect is essential in Zabbix, particularly considering the volume of data generated in monitoring environments. Proper data retention settings help to balance the need for historical insights with the practical considerations of storage resources.