[CPANEL-21020] Backup Transporter unable to prune directories using Pure-FTPD due to .master.meta

[Mysticeti]

Unable to prune transport “redacted.host.name”
Error pruning “/cpbackup/weekly/2018-03-31” from “redacted.host.name”: ASCII

My weekly backup to an off site FTP server has recently (late April) started giving this error.

Nothing has changed on my end that I'm aware of and the directory appears to be empty when I check it.

Fortunately the backup seems to complete successfully so it's just an annoyance at this point but if there's a way to make it stop I'd appreciate learning about it.

 

[24x7server]

Hi,

Error pruning “/cpbackup/weekly/2018-03-31” from “redacted.host.name”: ASCII

Please check your local backup location to see the size of the backup. It only appears it gave error while reducing the size of the left over of the local backups..

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hello @Mysticeti

Based on that error it doesn't look like there's an issue performing the backups but rather an issue pruning them remotely. If you look at the remote server do you see backups past their retention date present?


Thanks!

 

[Mysticeti]

Hello @Mysticeti

Based on that error it doesn't look like there's an issue performing the backups but rather an issue pruning them remotely. If you look at the remote server do you see backups past their retention date present?


Thanks!

Agreed. The backups do seem to be completing normally and transfer to the FTP site works too. But this error has appeared the last couple weeks now (weekly backup, retain the last 4 backups).

Other than the (empty) directory that the error mentions there are no backups past their retention date.

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @Mysticeti

Is the error for the same folder every time or is it different folders? If it is on the same folder if you remove the offending folder does the error persist on others?

 

[Mysticeti]

Different. Seems to be the oldest folder (the one that needs to be pruned).

Thanks.

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @Mysticeti

Which version of cPanel are you using? If you're using v70 which went to RELEASE yesterday and the issue is still occurring I'd like to see if you could open a ticket using the link in my signature. Once open please update here with the Ticket ID so we can update this thread with the outcome.


Thanks!

 

[Mysticeti]

Hi @Mysticeti

Which version of cPanel are you using? If you're using v70 which went to RELEASE yesterday and the issue is still occurring I'd like to see if you could open a ticket using the link in my signature. Once open please update here with the Ticket ID so we can update this thread with the outcome.


Thanks!

Thanks Lauren.

I'm on v68 and likely blocked for a few more days. I'll file a ticket and update this thread should the problem occur after I'm on v70.

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @Mysticeti

That sounds good, I know v70 went to release again yesterday after a brief pause to resolve some other issues. If you want to force the update to run you can always log in over CLI and run:

/scripts/upcp --force

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 920855]

We are on v70, but receiving a similar error:

Unable to prune transport "redacted.host.name"
Error pruning "/cpbackup/2018-06-03" from "redacted.host.name": ASCII
Error pruning "/cpbackup/2018-06-04" from "redacted.host.name": ASCII
Error pruning "/cpbackup/2018-06-05" from "redacted.host.name": Can't remove directory: Directory not empty

As with Mysticeti, the backup are completing, but older backups are not deleting.

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @jmig

I'm actually wondering if there isn't something else going on here that the update doesn't account for. Can you confirm whether or not there's a hidden file in that folder (any file with a . before it would be considered a hidden file like .htaccess or .master.meta)

Also, can you tell me if the remote server is using vsftpd?

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 920855]

To confirm, there is a hidden file .master.meta in the accounts folder, and we're using PureFTPd.

I also want to note that monthly and weekly backups seem to delete correctly, the issue appears to be limited to the daily backups.

 

[Mysticeti]

I haven't had chance to file a ticket yet but I can confirm I'm still seeing the issue post upgrade to v70.

Glad I'm not the only one!

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @Mysticeti

You're using PureFTPd on the remote server or on the local server?

 

[Deleted member 920855]

Hi @Mysticeti

You're using PureFTPd on the remote server or on the local server?

On the remote server.

 

[cPanelLauren]

Sorry, @jmig I referenced the wrong user.

So, we've been seeing this issue occur but only with hidden files on remote servers that use vsftpd. Since you're using PureFTPd I think we may want to take a closer look, would it be possible for you to open a ticket using the link in my signature? Once opened please reply here with the Ticket ID and we'll update this thread with the outcome.


Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 920855]

Sorry, @jmig I referenced the wrong user.

So, we've been seeing this issue occur but only with hidden files on remote servers that use vsftpd. Since you're using PureFTPd I think we may want to take a closer look, would it be possible for you to open a ticket using the link in my signature? Once opened please reply here with the Ticket ID and we'll update this thread with the outcome.


Thanks!

No problem, Support Request ID: 9704787

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @jmig


Thanks! I'm watching the ticket and I'll update this thread with the outcome.

 

[Deleted member 920855]

Hi @jmig

Thanks! I'm watching the ticket and I'll update this thread with the outcome.

The CPANEL Technical Analyst was able to replicate the issue on another Pure-FTPd server, and opened a case with the development team. The Case ID is CPANEL-21020, and will be included in the change logs when it is addressed.

Temporary, but not preferred, work-around is to disable metadata in backups, or prune manually.

 

[cPanelLauren]

Hi @jmig

I checked the ticket this morning as well. It looks like he was able to replicate the issue with PureFTPd with hidden files. I'll update more when the case has been updated as well.

Thanks!