This has been a problem that has plagued us for quite awhile. It happens randomly almost daily, but we cannot reproduce it in testing.

Config:

Xserve 1.33DP, OSX 10.3.5, 1GB RAM, Boot = L1 60GB, Data = L0 500GB

Everything is connected to an APC BackUPS Pro 3000.

We are a digital imaging lab. The vast majority of our customers upload files to our servers via the net.

The problem is this: periodically there will be a file that we cannot delete because it is “busy or in use.” Upon further examination (can’t remember the exact command; fstat, maybe. My UNIX is not my strong suit) the server process is listed as the culprit.

We can MOVE and RENAME the file, but cannot DELETE it. The only short term “solution” is to restart AFP file sharing. Otherwise, after a day or so, the process “lets go” of the file. This occurs on two separate Xserves, similarly configured. One has only AFP and OD running plus WebStar and 4D Server. The other has AFP, Mail, SMB, Apache, OD, DNS and maybe one or two other things happening.

Initially we thought it only affected files that were transferred by customers using AFP to connect to the servers remotely. However, I have witnessed it now with files that were copied locally from CD using a Mac and from Win2k clients. I have also seen it on files transferred via WebStar FTP.

I logged a case with Apple several months ago and they said it would be fixed in a forthcoming release. We are now at 10.3.5 and it is still happening. Needless to say, it wreaks havoc with our 4D system, which is attempting to move and delete files as part of our workflow.

Anybody seen this or are we alone in this black hole?

TIA

Matthew Kosterman