SuSe linux 9.1/9.3/10.0
Compaq Proliant ML110
HP DAT DDS-4

Hi,

I've written a bash script to backup my linux box and some PC connected to my network on a
DAT tape.
I've often tar errors like
tar: error exit delayed from previous errors.
So I've investigated this point and saw that it's due to opened files or more precisely to read errors especially on hidden files.

I would like to know if on the linux box :
-it's possible to backup an opened file (with an acl set on it or else) because it's just
a read access
-it's possible to know which file cannot be backed up (lsof +D path seems to find lots of opened files)
-it's possible to unlock temporarily the files

The script executes as root launched by cron so I don't think it's a problem of rights.

I don't want to set --ignore-failed-read because I don't want the users to think that
everything is allright till they loose files.

My linux box runs 24/7 because it's the network server so I just can't stop it for backup.
Concerning the PC I do an nfs mount to gain
access to the directories to backup.
And here I've read errors too despite the fact that users close all applications (I don't know if they logout...).

If someone has an idea on the subject he's welcome.
Thanks in advance