Troubleshooting
Problem
This technote explains why attempts to redefine the properties of an IBM® Rational® ClearCase® element type in a VOB that is replicated using MultiSite® results in the error []Can't redefine element types when VOB is replicated.[].
Cause
Attempt to remove or redefine an element type that is stored in a replicated VOB results in the following error:
GUI:
From the Type Explorer GUI, right-click an existing element type, select Properties, select Type Details tab and change the type to Global (for example), then click OK. The following error appears:
COMMAND LINE:
From command line the following error occurs:
M:\view1\VOB1>cleartool mkeltype -replace -global -supertype file tested
cleartool: Error: Can't redefine element types when VOB is replicated.
cleartool: Error: Unable to replace definition of element type "tested".
This is expected behavior in a replicated VOB.
Note: This includes the removal of element types as well.
The command cleartool rmtype eltype cannot be run to remove an element type from a replicated VOB.
Change request (RFE) RATLC00687402 was submitted to add the ability to remove an element type from a replicated VOB; however, the decision was made by Product Management to exclude the resolution of this change request from future upgrades and releases due to the significant architectural changes required to implement the solution.
Resolving The Problem
As of 2002.05.00 redefinition of element types (mkeltype -replace) is no longer allowed in replicated VOBs.
After a custom element type is created, it cannot be changed since there is no verification mechanism between replicas to validate if an instance of a particular type has already been created at another replica before the change proceeds.
Also, the type change would not get replicated (or synched to the other sites), so if this operation were to succeed it could cause import errors.
For this reason, it is important to make sure the settings are correct before completing the creation of a new type.
WORKAROUND:
Follow the instructions in technote 1148740 to learn how to change an element type in a replicated VOB to workaround this issue.
Related Information
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Document Information
Modified date:
16 June 2018
UID
swg21145660