successful backup but 0 byte/empty files on restore?

[dmorgens]

Hello all,

I'm seeing something troubling on some of our unix backups:

A backup will run and complete successfully (no error messages) but, when attempting a restore, many files that were backed up have 0 bytes and are empty if actually restored (their timestamps appear to be correct however).

I'm seeing this on Solaris and Linux clients for both normal and TIR backups. The "all local drives" directive is being used.

The server is Windows 2003 and NBU is at 5.0, MP4. The clients are also 5.0 and have either MP3 or MP4 installed.

Has anybody seen anything similar or have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Stumpr]

Did you receive the tech alert?
Rare, but potential data loss issues resolved with VERITAS NetBackup (tm) Server / NetBackup Enterprise Server 5.0 Maintenance Pack 4.

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/273795.htm

Details:
VERITAS NetBackup (tm) Server / NetBackup Enterprise Server 5.0 Maintenance Pack 4 has just been released. Because product quality and responsiveness to customers are consistent VERITAS Software hallmarks, we are alerting you to some rare, but potential data loss issues that are resolved with NetBackup 5.0 MP4 and will be resolved with the upcoming 5.1 MP2 patch. These issues were only recently discovered and are as follows:

1. When utilizing VERITAS NetBackup (tm) Enterprise Server 5.0 or 5.1 Advanced Client Option with Solaris, HP-UX and Windows clients, or if Windows Clients use snapshot technologies to perform backups based on Timestamp, a potential for data loss exists.

http://support.veritas.com/docs/269856

2. When utilizing VSS or VSP to backup Windows Clients with VERITAS NetBackup (tm) 5.0 MP1, 5.0 MP2, 5.0 MP3, or 5.1, a potential for data loss exists. The backup will complete with a Status code 0 (successful); however, there are no files to restore. The backup will include random root or top level folders/directories with no sub folders or files.

http://support.veritas.com/docs/269993

3. When utilizing "User Archive" on NetBackup Clients to a Disk Storage Unit (DSU) or a Disk Staging Storage Unit (DSSU), the potential for data loss exists. This issue affects: VERITAS NetBackup (tm) 5.0, 5.0 MP1, 5.0 MP2, 5.0 MP3, or 5.1, 5.1 MP1.

http://support.veritas.com/docs/272853

4. Multiplexed TIR duplications, in rare circumstances, may exit with status 0 (successful), but some files from the newly-created copy may not be available for restore.

http://support.veritas.com/docs/273192

5. When the BATCHSIZE parameter is specified in the backup script batch file in VERITAS NetBackup 4.5 or 5.0 SQL Server Agent, the backup erroneously completes with a Status 0 (successful), fails with a status 1 in the Activity Monitor, or a -1 in the NetBackup for SQL Server Client GUI. In this case, some databases may not be available for restore.

http://support.veritas.com/docs/265460

What you need to know as a NetBackup Administrator is that these rare issues are resolved with NetBackup 5.0 MP4. Although issues 1 & 2 are fixed with a previous 5.0 Maintenance Pack, VERITAS suggests applying the latest patch because it fixes other issues as well.

If you are running NetBackup 5.1, these issues will be formally resolved with NetBackup 5.1 MP2, scheduled for release January 19th, 2005. VERITAS highly recommends that you upgrade your environment at your earliest convenience and perform a Full backup.

If you cannot apply the latest patches, or wait for the upcoming 5.1 MP2 patch, VERITAS strongly recommends that you implement the workarounds for the issues described in the above TechNotes.


If you have any questions or concerns about any of the issues mentioned above, please contact VERITAS Technical Services.

Thank you for choosing VERITAS Software.



Bob Stump
Incorrigible punster -- Do not incorrige

 

[Stumpr]

Are you using checkpoint backups?

If a backup fails prior to the first checkpoint creation, the first file list entry is skipped. However, the backup erroneously completes with a status 0 (successful).

http://seer.support.veritas.com/docs/267432.htm

Details:
This is to inform you that VERITAS Technical Services has just issued a Software Alert. This is a critical technical issue for:

VERITAS NetBackup (tm) Server and VERITAS NetBackup (tm) Enterprise Server versions 5.0 and 5.0 Maintenance Pack 1 (MP1) - UNIX platforms only

For a detailed description of this issue and our recommendations, please review the following reference document:

http://support.veritas.com/docs/267400

If you would like to continue to receive updates regarding this particular issue, you may subscribe to the reference document. VERITAS recommends subscription to ensure that you always have the latest information available for your immediate review. To initiate a subscription, click on the "Subscribe to this document" link in the document itself or visit this URL:

http://maillist.support.veritas.com/notification_services.asp?doc=267400

This alert was generated because product quality and customer responsiveness are consistent VERITAS Software hallmarks. Any issues that could potentially affect the integrity of data in your environment, no matter how rare, are viewed as extremely serious.

Thank you for choosing VERITAS Software.

Related Documents:

267400: If a backup fails prior to the first checkpoint creation, the first file list entry is skipped. However, the backup erroneously completes with a status 0 (successful).

http://support.veritas.com/docs/267400

Bob Stump
Incorrigible punster -- Do not incorrige

 

[dmorgens]

Thanks for the info, Bob.

I will review it and see if it applies.

 

[dmorgens]

Bob,

These articles were helpful but the problem ended up being with me...(I'm fairly unix unfamiliar and didn't realize what I was looking at ).

Thanks.