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Article #25484: Copying a database file would result in corruption in NetWare 4.1.1 using NCOPY

Problem:
On a NetWare file system, using the NCOPY utility to copy a database file would result in file
corruption and a DOS compare showed the two files to be different.  No one is connected.

Solution:
The information in this article applies to:

* NetWare 4.11

You should never attempt to make a copy of a database file unless no users are connected to the
database (it is preferable unload the InterBase NLM also).   If you do so, it is quite likely that your
database copy will be corrupted (the original database should be unharmed).   Even with the
server unloaded, and/or all users disconnected, the use of NCOPY is still problematic.

The NCOPY utility is the NetWare 'smart' copy routine that preserves NetWare specific
properties (NetWare Directory Services attributes, locks, etc.).  Note that NCOPY doesn't
copy sparse files; those that contain at least one empty block.  Databases often create
sparse files, so it is possible that this utility will not copy an InterBase database.  NCOPY
has a /f option that forces the operating system to copy sparse files. 

Also note that Novell's Knowledgebase says a faulty LAN card may cause the corruption as well.

*** Remember, it is always best to use the InterBase backup utility (GBAK) to preserve data
consistency. ***

Last Modified: 26-OCT-00