[This document describes a field in the Princeton University Host Database. You may also view descriptions of other fields.]
This optional field specifies that the entry should be automatically deleted from the Host Database on (or shortly after) a particular date.
When specified, the value must be in the form YYYY-MM-DD; for example, 2010-03-17. The value you specify must be at least one day in the future, and must be a valid date.
To clear this field, specify the value NONE.
This field is optional; when the field is not specified, the Host Database entry is not automatically deleted based on date. Most Host Database entries do not specify this field.
If a Host Database entry specifies a DATE-TO-DELETE, the entry is deleted automatically from the database on the specified date, or shortly after that date. (In most cases, the deletion is on the specified date. Occasionally the deletion is a few business days later, for example, if the deletion required special handling.) At that time, notification email is sent to the entry's Technical Contacts to advise them that the entry will be deleted because the DATE-TO-DELETE has arrived. Here is a sample of that notification mail.
Whenever someone deletes an entry from the Host Database, it is that person's responsibility to be sure the device as been disconnected from the campus network (e.g. both wired and wireless connections). As use of the DATE-TO-DELETE field results in the entry being deleted from the Host Database automatically, when you specify a DATE-TO-DELETE, it is your responsibility to ensure the device is disconnected from the campus network before the date you specify.
The Host Database will not send email to remind you that an entry's DATE-TO-DELETE is approaching in the near future. Only set a DATE-TO-DELETE for a Host Database entry you truly want deleted automatically without advance warning.
If a Host Database entry specifies a DATE-TO-DELETE and you do not want it to be automatically deleted on that date, then before that date arrives you should change the entry to clear the DATE-TO-DELETE field. Alternatively, before that date arrives, change the DATE-TO-DELETE field to specify a date further in the future.
This field may not be specified in a Host Database entry that represents a Dormnet subscription. Dormnet subscription entries instead remain in the Host Database until the customer is no longer eligible for a Dormnet subscription, at which time the entry is automatically removed from the database.
Automatic deletion based on this field is only supported for Host Database entries that have no ADMIN-DOMAIN field specified. If an entry has an ADMIN-DOMAIN field specified, the Host Database does not perform any automatic deletion based on the value of the DATE-TO-DELETE field. (If you aren't familiar with the ADMIN-DOMAIN field, you can assume that none of your Host Database entries have that field set. Host Database entries entered into the Host Database by normal users never have that field set.)