Could a file size restriction cause message "VMBXSF0318E File filename filetype in directory could not be prepared for backup"?

Products

• VM:Backup for z/VM

Issue/Introduction

Trying to use VM:Backup to backup a file in an SFS directory that has more than 13 million blocks.
VM:Backup is reporting error  VMBXSF0318E File filename filetype in ABC directory could not be prepared for backup.

Is there a size restriction of some kind?

 

Environment

VM:Backup

 

Resolution

VMBXSF0318E File filename filetype in ABC directory could not be prepared for backup.

VMBXSF0318E Cause:
VM:Backup encountered errors while validating the physical block numbers for the indicated file in the indicated directory.

VM:Backup should be able to handle a file of this size. Message VMBXSF0318E is issued when a bad return code is returned from routine VMBXSGOP trying to open the file. VM:Backup is having a problem opening the file for read purposes.

From the VM:Backup user ID, make sure you can access and read the file that is getting the error.  

 

Additional Information

As a proactive measure and before your next backup, issue command VMBACKUP DEBUG CSLCALL ON so you can see the SFS reason codes and if there are any bad return codes. This command can be issued from any VM:Backup System Administrator user ID, like VMANAGER, prior to submitting the backup. Once the job is done, issue VMBACKUP DEBUG CSLCALL OFF to turn it off.