IBM Support

Resolving “Rebuild partitions is running. Can not run it again”

Troubleshooting


Problem

When running the following CLI command: "support rebuild partitions" 

 

the command fails immediately with the error:

“Rebuild partitions is running. Can not run it again.”

This message is displayed even though no rebuild operation is currently active.

Symptom

  • The support rebuild partitions command cannot be executed.
  • The system reports that a rebuild is already running, even though no rebuild is in progress.
  • The issue persists across multiple attempts and after waiting for a prolonged period.

Cause

The support rebuild partitions command is a Guardium CLI utility used to rebuild database partitions. This command may be required:

  • As part of routine maintenance activities
  • When partition inconsistencies or performance issues are observed
  • During troubleshooting scenarios recommended by IBM Support

In some situations, the rebuild process does not complete successfully (for example, due to a timeout). 
When this occurs, a flag file may be left behind in the system, preventing subsequent executions of the command.

This technote explains how a Guardium Administrator can identify the condition and engage IBM Support to safely resolve it.
 

Environment

This issue can happen on any Guardium appliance.

Diagnosing The Problem

Follow the steps below to correctly and safely address this situation:

  1. Access the Guardium "fileserver"
  2. Navigate to the opt-ibm-guardium-log directory path
  3. Search with the keyword "rebuild" - refer the below screenshot:

  4. You will observe file similar to the following:

    rebuild_partitions_yyyymmdd_hhmmss.log
rebuild_partitions_running

    The example screenshot from earlier step shows multiple rebuild logs along with a lingering rebuild_partitions_running flag file. Notice the size of the file a 0.0 KiB.

  5. Capture this evidence screenshot like shown in the example.
     

Resolving The Problem

Open a new IBM Support case with the following details:
Case Title: Rebuild partitions is running. Can not run it again

Evidence/Attachment: 
1. Screenshot taken from the diagnostic steps
2. support must_gather system_db_info
 

Once the case is assigned to an IBM Technical Support engineer, the engineer will:

1. Validate that no rebuild process is currently running
2. Safely remove the stale rebuild_partitions_running flag file
3. Confirm that the system is clear to proceed.

Document Location

Worldwide

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Product Synonym

IBM Security Guardium Data Protection

Document Information

Modified date:
13 April 2026

UID

ibm17269252

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