Getting errors while performing database backups from PAM console

Products

• CA Privileged Access Manager - Cloakware Password Authority (PA)
• PAM SAFENET LUNA HSM
• CA Privileged Access Manager (PAM)

Issue/Introduction

Before applying any PAM maintenance we always use the Configuration > Database page to create a database and configuration backup in case anything goes wrong during patch application. This worked in the past, but now we are getting the following error with no message contents about half a minute after clicking on the SAVE DATABASE AND CONFIGURATION button:

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Cause

This can be observed if the database has grown so large that the process of generating a backup takes longer than the UI is waiting for. If the message comes only some time after the button was clicked, and the error displayed has no message, it is likely that there is no actual problem with the backup process, and that it will complete not long after the error is shown in the UI.

Environment

Any PAM 3.X release available as of Feb 2019 potentially can have this problem.

Resolution

Wait a minute or so and then check the session logs. Most likely you will find messages there with the file names of the new DB and configuration backup files. Then you can go back to the Configuration > Database page, find these files and download them to have a local copy. Note that only the latest 3.X maintenance releases, such as 3.2.4, sort the backup files by date. If you have a lot of older files in the list, you may have to scroll down to find the new backup files. They may not be next to each other. In case of a long list, you may want to use the opportunity to remove some of the old obsolete backup files.

If you find error messages related to the backup process in the session logs, rather than the informational messages with the file names, please open a case with PAM support.