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TAR problem

 
Mauro_8
Frequent Advisor

TAR problem

Hi,

I??m having problems during a backup using the TAR command. I??m sharing some directories using samba and when I try to backup these directories some files show this message: "File shrank by 144896 bytes; padding with zero /usr/example.doc". Despite of it a can open the file with no problems. Any suggestions to sove it ?

Cheers,
Mauro
4 REPLIES 4
Olav Baadsvik
Esteemed Contributor

Re: TAR problem


Hi,

This could be a question of "sparse files"
Sparse files can be created in HP-UX to save
space when a file contains large amounts of
null data. When a sparse file is copied with
tar blocks of zeros unallocated in the original file will be written.

regards
Olav
harry d brown jr
Honored Contributor

Re: TAR problem


Backing up files that are open will cause this issue. To eliminate the issue, either stop samba, or mirror the disks/split them/mount them/backup the "mirrored" copy/remirror them.


live free or die
harry
Live Free or Die
Steve Steel
Honored Contributor

Re: TAR problem

Hi


HP tar or Gnu Tar


This is caused by sparse files .

Do not recommend tar as a useful backup.

Use fbackup.

frecover is ok with sparse

Steve Steel
If you want truly to understand something, try to change it. (Kurt Lewin)
MANOJ SRIVASTAVA
Honored Contributor

Re: TAR problem

Hi Mauro

This is something to do with sparse files .
Look at :
http://www-gnats.gnu.org:8080/cgi-bin/info2www?(tar)sparse

for more explanations . My best bet is to use some other backup utility or load GNU TAR in case you dont have that and use -S option.


Manoj Srivastava