"ERROR: Other instances of db-backup must be running, exiting" is seen in Symantec Messaging Gateway (SMG) Control Center when an unscheduled backup is attempted

Products

• Messaging Gateway

Issue/Introduction

The Control Center displays the message "Other instances of db-backup must be running, exiting" when it fails to perform an unscheduled backup.

Following error messages are seen in the Control Center and in BrightmailLog.log:

Cannot backup the database on the local host.
ERROR: Other instances of db-backup must be running, exiting
 

Resolution

This error indicates that a scheduled backup is already running in the background.  Status of a scheduled backup can be checked by looking at the "Scheduled Tasks Status" page (Status > Scheduled Tasks > Backups).  Please wait for the scheduled backup to finish before performing an unscheduled manual backup.