Understanding Broken Parts in ClickHouse

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 85 views

The Limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is Exceeded: Understanding the Impact on ck-server Restart

As a ClickHouse administrator, you may have encountered the error message "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" when attempting to restart the ck-server after a crash. This error can be frustrating, especially when you're not sure what it means or how to resolve the issue. In this article, we'll delve into the world of ClickHouse and explore how the ck-server handles broken parts, what causes this error, and the potential risks associated with deleting these broken parts.

Understanding Broken Parts in ClickHouse

Before we dive into the specifics of the error, let's first understand what broken parts are in the context of ClickHouse. Broken parts refer to corrupted or incomplete data blocks that are stored in the ClickHouse database. These data blocks can become broken due to various reasons such as:

Network failures: If a network failure occurs during data transfer, the data block may become corrupted.
Disk errors: Disk errors or failures can cause data blocks to become broken.
Software bugs: Bugs in the ClickHouse software can lead to broken data blocks.

When a data block becomes broken, ClickHouse will attempt to repair it. However, if the repair process fails, the broken data block will be marked as suspicious and stored in a separate location.

How ck-server Handles Broken Parts

The ck-server is responsible for managing the storage of broken parts in ClickHouse. When a broken data block is detected, the ck-server will attempt to repair it. If the repair process fails, the broken data block will be marked as suspicious and stored in a separate location.

The ck-server uses a parameter called max_suspicious_broken_parts to control the number of suspicious broken parts that can be stored. If the number of suspicious broken parts exceeds this limit, the ck-server will fail to restart, resulting in the error message "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded".

Consequences of Exceeding max_suspicious_broken_parts

Exceeding the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit can have severe consequences for your ClickHouse database. When the ck-server fails to restart, it will not be able to process queries, leading to a complete outage of your database.

In addition, exceeding the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit can also lead to data loss. If the other replica of the data does not have the broken parts, deleting the suspicious broken parts can result in data loss.

Deleting Suspicious Broken Parts: Risks and Considerations

Deleting suspicious broken parts can be a complex process, and it's essential to consider the potential risks involved. Here are some factors to consider:

Data loss: As mentioned earlier, deleting suspicious broken parts can result in data loss if the other replica does not have the broken parts.
Data corruption: Deleting suspicious broken parts can also lead to data corruption if the repair process is not done correctly.
ck-server restart: Deleting suspicious broken parts may not resolve the issue, and the ck-server may still fail to restart.

Best Practices for Managing Broken Parts in ClickHouse

To avoid exceeding the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit and minimize the risk of data loss, follow these best practices:

Regularly monitor the number of suspicious broken parts: Keep an eye on the number of suspicious broken parts and take action if it exceeds the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit.
Run regular repairs: Regularly run repairs to fix broken data blocks and prevent them from becoming suspicious.
Use a larger max_suspicious_broken_parts limit: Consider increasing the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit to prevent the ck-server from failing to restart.
Use a separate storage for broken parts: Consider using a separate storage for broken parts to prevent them from affecting the main database.

In conclusion, exceeding the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit can have severe consequences for your ClickHouse database. Understanding how the ck-server handles broken parts and the potential risks associated with deleting suspicious broken parts is crucial to preventing data loss and ensuring the smooth operation of your database.

In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to the "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" error in ClickHouse.

Q: What causes the "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" error?

A: The "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" error occurs when the number of suspicious broken parts in your ClickHouse database exceeds the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit. This limit is set to prevent the ck-server from failing to restart due to an excessive number of broken parts.

Q: What are suspicious broken parts?

A: Suspicious broken parts are corrupted or incomplete data blocks that are stored in the ClickHouse database. These data blocks can become broken due to various reasons such as network failures, disk errors, or software bugs.

Q: How do I prevent the "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" error?

A: To prevent the "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" error, you can follow these best practices:

Regularly monitor the number of suspicious broken parts and take action if it exceeds the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit.
Run regular repairs to fix broken data blocks and prevent them from becoming suspicious.
Use a larger max_suspicious_broken_parts limit to prevent the ck-server from failing to restart.
Use a separate storage for broken parts to prevent them from affecting the main database.

Q: What happens if I delete suspicious broken parts?

A: Deleting suspicious broken parts can result in data loss if the other replica does not have the broken parts. Additionally, deleting suspicious broken parts may not resolve the issue, and the ck-server may still fail to restart.

Q: How do I increase the `max_suspicious_broken_parts` limit?

A: To increase the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit, you can modify the max_suspicious_broken_parts parameter in the ClickHouse configuration file. However, be cautious when increasing this limit, as it may lead to data loss or corruption if not done correctly.

Q: Can I use a separate storage for broken parts?

A: Yes, you can use a separate storage for broken parts to prevent them from affecting the main database. This can be done by configuring a separate storage for broken parts in the ClickHouse configuration file.

Q: How do I monitor the number of suspicious broken parts?

A: You can monitor the number of suspicious broken parts by using the ClickHouse SHOW TABLES command with the broken_parts option. This will display the number of broken parts for each table in your database.

Q: What are the consequences of exceeding the `max_suspicious_broken_parts` limit?

A: Exceeding the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit can result in the ck-server failing to restart, leading to a complete outage of your database. Additionally, exceeding this limit can lead to data loss or corruption if not resolved correctly.

In conclusion, the "The limit of max_suspicious_broken_parts is exceeded" error in ClickHouse can be caused by an excessive number of suspicious broken parts. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can prevent this error and ensure the smooth operation of your database. Remember to regularly monitor the number of suspicious broken parts, run regular repairs, and consider increasing the max_suspicious_broken_parts limit to prevent data loss or corruption.