FIX: The Rm -rf Command Does Not Remove All the Files from an NFS Share (823082)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 2.3 OEM Only
  • Microsoft Windows Services for UNIX 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to remove the files of a network file system (NFS) shared resource, not all the files are removed. You have to run the rm -rf command again to successfully remove the remaining files.

CAUSE

The problem is caused by a rare condition where both the RMDIR request and the READDIR request are sent to the same directory.

If READDIR arrives while RMDIR is processing the removal of the files, READDIR updates the in-memory cache in such a way that RMDIR eventually fails. If you try to use the RMDIR request a second time, the directory is removed (unless another READDIR request occurs at the same time).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, flush the directory from the in-memory cache before you remove the corresponding directory. The next READDIR request is unsuccessful, instead of being successful and causing the problem.

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];CNTACTMS

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   25-Jun-2003  01:19  5.3000.2117.11     78,336  Clilocks.dll     
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     31,744  Clusnfs.exe      
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     24,064  Nfsonly.exe      
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     66,048  Nfssh.dll        
   25-Jun-2003  01:45  5.3000.2117.11     88,064  Nfsshare.exe     
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11    143,360  Nfsshex.dll      
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11    113,664  Nfssprop.dll     
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     94,720  Nfssvc.exe       
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11    324,192  Nfssvr.sys
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     40,832  Portmap.sys
   14-Dec-2001  19:01  5.0.2134.1         35,600  Regini.exe       
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     72,800  Rpcxdr.sys
   06-Apr-2002  09:33                     27,102  Supphelp.chm
   25-Jun-2003  01:42  5.3000.2117.11     48,128  Upnfs3.exe

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/25/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbfix kbbug KB823082 kbAudDeveloper
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