Technical Bulletin Number 55

ClearCase MultiSite Patches May Cause Source Container Deletion

Rational has discovered a defect in several recent ClearCase MultiSite patches that could cause source containers of versions whose element type is whole_copy or a subtype of type whole_copy to be deleted when the syncreplica–export command exports a packet that includes a checkin operation on such a version. The defect exists in all of the following patch bundles:

• multisite_p4.2-7
• multisite_p4.2.NT-7
• multisite_p4.2-8
• multisite_p4.2.NT-8
• multisite_p2002.05.00-4
• multisite_p2002.05.00.NT-4
• multisite_p2002.05.00-5
• multisite_p2002.05.00.NT-5

This defect is not known to have affected any customers and is most likely to occur on Linux. The problem is triggered when there is a mismatch between the size of the container as reported by the file system and the size as recorded in the VOB database. A diagnostic message of the form:

Cleartext file container_pathname had the wrong length (expected: X, found: Y). It has been removed.

Customers who have applied any of the affected patches should consider their possible exposure to data loss and take appropriate action, which may include any or all of the following:

• temporarily stopping replication
• making backup copies of replicas that may be affected
• removing the affected patches

Rational expects to correct this defect in a new patch bundle that should be available within a few days.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the situations discussed in this Technical Bulletin, please contact Rational Customer Support via telephone, fax, or electronic mail as described below. For information regarding support hours, languages spoken, or other support information, click the Technical Support link on the Rational Web site at www.rational.com.

Technical Bulletin Number 55 - 4/1/03