Reviewing the issue.

Server, Solaris 10x86, Amanda 2.6.1 (with patches)
Client, Solaris 9, Amanda  2.4.4

The problem performing level 0 dumps is that there are a large
number of files in flux -- its the mailhost system -- so ufsdump
eventually asks for help, to continue or quit.

There is no help in non-interactive mode, and I don't know if there
is a mechanism to get amanda to respond to ufsdump's query. So the
level 0 of /usr1 usually fails.

Warnings - Dave's suggestion, that the history of the error be more
explicite is a good one. Can # amdump report last successful level 0,
ie due date, if current level zero fails ? Put it in the notes 
section or something ?

Non-solutions - a snapshot of an open file is an open file. All things
being equal, you will get as many open files in a snapshot as in a
live system. This will not resolve the problem.

Work arounds
    1) quiess the mail server for a period of time, force a level 0
       of /usr1 during that interval.

    2) Quiess mail delivery long enough to snapshot/rsync or break
       a mirror. Backup the placid copy.

    3) Q: will a TAR of the DLE get a backup when ufsdump can not ?

    4) "Its not really a problem."
       By and large each individual message will be backed up "most"
       of the time, each message is its own file and if its not on
       the level 0 its on almost all of the level 1 and 2 dumps.
       What we will lose are the index files, which would probably
       require a rebuild after a restore anyway, so that are not
       that important to get only tape.


On Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 11:13:36AM -0400, daver wrote:
> brian checking over all the overdue files systems on curie, I find only 
> mailserv:/usr1 is truly overdue
> 
> As you mentioned., this may be due to the system being too active.  
> there are NO warnings, in this regard, with the exception of a "Can't 
> switch to degraded mode for unknown reason" in amdump
> 
> as we just about never read these amanda files and use the email 
> generated by the system to notify us of problems, this would seem to be 
> a significant problem with Amanda.  I agree that the developers should 
> be contacted in this regard.
> 
> as to getting /usr1 backed up. if amanda can't do it, perhaps we need to 
> consider an alternative. like tar
> 
> 
> 
---
   Brian R Cuttler                 brian.cuttler AT wadsworth DOT org
   Computer Systems Support        (v) 518 486-1697
   Wadsworth Center                (f) 518 473-6384
   NYS Department of Health        Help Desk 518 473-0773



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