IT13998: TSM 7.1 LINUX CLIENTS CAN SKIP BACKUPS AND PREMATURELY EXPIRE BACKUP COPIES OF BTRFS ROOT FILE SYSTEM DIRECTORIES ON SLES 11

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• Beginning with TSM 7.1.2.3 Linux clients, when a Btrfs file
  system is defined as the root file system ('/'),the backups
  of directories in that root file system can be silently skipped,
  and previous backup copies of those directories performed with
  7.1.0.0 to 7.1.2.2 Linux clients can be prematurely expired.
  
  This issue can only occur with SLES 11 (and RHEL 6 Preview).
  Backup operations on SLES 12 and RHEL 7 Btrfs root file
  systems are unaffected by the issue.
  

Local fix

• Interim fix 7.1.4.1 fixes the issue for the Linux x86 client.
  Otherwise, upgrading to SLES 12 (or RHEL 7) will prevent
  the issue.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * Tivoli Storage Manager backup-archive client version 7.1     *
  * running on Linux platforms while backing up the root (Btrfs) *
  * file system.                                                 *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * See ERROR DESCRIPTION.                                       *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Apply fixing level when available. This problem is currently *
  * projected to be fixed in level 7.1.6.                        *
  * Note that until this level is available, this information is *
  * subject to change at the discretion of IBM.                  *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• While running incremental backup of the root (Btrfs) file
  system, the previously backed up directories and all the objects
  underneath (if any) were skipped from the backup and prematurely
  expired.
  After the fix, all eligible objects from the root (Btrfs) file
  system are successfully backed up. No premature expiration
  happens.
  

Temporary fix

• The fix for this problem is available in 7.1.4.1 interim fix
  package on Linux x86_64 platform.
  

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros

• dsmc
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  TSM CLIENT

• Fixed component ID

  5698ISMCL

Applicable component levels

• R71L PSY

     UP