The parameters maxfiles (default: 10 files) and maxfilesize (default: 10 MB) in the [trace] section of global.ini or a specific service control the trace file rotation. SAP HANA writes the files on a rotation basis and switches to the next file whenever the current file reached the maxfilesize limit.
The parameter global.ini --> [trace] --> maxalertfilesize defines the maximum size of alert files (default: 50 MB). When the configured size is reached, the file is compressed (including a timestamp in its name) and a new file is written from scratch.
Avoid increasing these settings unless there is a specific need. Otherwise more and / or larger files are kept for a longer time.
On operating system level you can manually delete files if required.
From SAP HANA side you can purge SAP HANA logs and traces using
- ALTER SYSTEM REMOVE TRACES ...
- ALTER SYSTEM CLEAR TRACES ...
SQL: "HANA_TraceFiles_Overview" (SAP doc 1969700) can be used to show files exceeding a defined retention time and generate the related cleanup commands.