AppSync: AppSync 4.3.0.0 and 4.3.0.1 Now Performs a Free All cCmmand When Unlinking Target Devices for SnapVX Copies.
Summary: AppSync 4.3.0.0 and 4.3.0.1 now performs a Free All command when unlinking target devices for SnapVX copies. Version 4.3.0.1 also performs a Free All command when expiring a PowerMax or VMAX copy. ...
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Symptoms
As per the AppSync 4.3 User Guide, page 284:
Unlink the SnapVX snapshots during unmount mount option also frees up the unlinked target devices in protection copies and second generation repurposing copies. NOTE: Freeing up of devices is not guaranteed. The service plan waits for a maximum of five minutes for freeing up unlinked target devices, and then resume.
If the Free All command does not finish within five minutes, AppSync may request to mount again and reuse the same target devices. When the link is requested, it may fail since Free All is still running.
In this situation, the events for the service plan while performing a mount show the following:
In this situation, the events for the service plan while performing a mount show the following:
VMAX_000070,host,The SnapVX snapshot AS_Daily_namexx_Jul_30_at_06_02_40 is establishing link with target devices, for the source and target pair(s) 00011:00022, 00033:00044, on storage array 00019760xxxx. Mount copy, VMAX_000002,host,VMAX operation failed. Error: Exception thrown while linking the copy Information not available for the job or job is not running. Considered job failed :FAILED and reason:The action cannot be performed because all device allocations are being freed
Cause
The introduction of the Free All command is a new feature that was added to AppSync 4.3.0.0 and exists in 4.3.0.1 as well.
Resolution
For 4.3.0.0:
The Free all is done at unlink time.
Clear the "unlink" check box in the mount phase of the service plan to ensure that a Free All is not done during the unlink while unmounting.
A hotfix is available for AppSync 4.3.0.0 that introduces an AppSync Advanced Setting, which can be set to "True" to skip the FREE ALL at unlink. Contact Dell Support to obtain the hotfix. Mention this article number when calling in a service request to obtain the hotfix.
The hotfix introduces the following AppSync Advanced Setting:
Set it to "true" to skip target device free up during unlink at unmount.
For versions 4.3.0.1 and 4.4.0.0:
The Free All is done during expire.
The following AppSync Advanced Setting was introduced in 4.3.0.1.
Set it to False to have AppSync not perform a Free All at expire time.
Version 4.3.0.1 and 4.4.0.0 do not use the AppSync Advanced Setting "vmax.skip.freeup.target.device."
Note: AppSync Advanced Settings can be found in the UI by clicking "Settings" in the top-right area of the screen, then "Advanced Settings" on the left side.
The Free all is done at unlink time.
Clear the "unlink" check box in the mount phase of the service plan to ensure that a Free All is not done during the unlink while unmounting.
A hotfix is available for AppSync 4.3.0.0 that introduces an AppSync Advanced Setting, which can be set to "True" to skip the FREE ALL at unlink. Contact Dell Support to obtain the hotfix. Mention this article number when calling in a service request to obtain the hotfix.
The hotfix introduces the following AppSync Advanced Setting:
"vmax.skip.freeup.target.device"
Set it to "true" to skip target device free up during unlink at unmount.
For versions 4.3.0.1 and 4.4.0.0:
The Free All is done during expire.
The following AppSync Advanced Setting was introduced in 4.3.0.1.
"vmax.freeup.target.device"
If set to True, a Free All is done when a copy is EXPIRED.
Set it to False to have AppSync not perform a Free All at expire time.
Version 4.3.0.1 and 4.4.0.0 do not use the AppSync Advanced Setting "vmax.skip.freeup.target.device."
Note: AppSync Advanced Settings can be found in the UI by clicking "Settings" in the top-right area of the screen, then "Advanced Settings" on the left side.
Additional Information
Restating to ensure clarity for 4.3.0.1 and 4.4.0.0
The other AppSync system setting with the word skip in it: vmax.skip.freeup.target.device is NOT USED BY VERSION 4.3.0.1 or above.
Below is an example from the AppSync server log showing AppSync sending a REE ALL command to the VMAX.
- 4.3.0.1 and 4.4.0.0 sends the FREE ALL during EXPIRE if the following single condition is in place:
System variable vmax.freeup.target.device is set to TRUE.
Set to FALSE to not do FREE ALL as expire.
Set to FALSE to not do FREE ALL as expire.
The other AppSync system setting with the word skip in it: vmax.skip.freeup.target.device is NOT USED BY VERSION 4.3.0.1 or above.
Below is an example from the AppSync server log showing AppSync sending a REE ALL command to the VMAX.
10-05-2021 19:02:22.333 INFO ... ->>> Executing PUT /univmax/restapi/92/sloprovisioning/symmetrix/000008675309/volume/00123 request in REST interface :My.U4P.com
10-05-2021 19:02:22.349 INFO ... ->>> The payload data is :{
"editVolumeActionParam" : {
"freeVolumeParam" : {
"free_volume" : true
},
"modifyVolumeIdentifierParam" : null
}
}
Products
AppSyncArticle Properties
Article Number: 000190982
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 18 Sep 2025
Version: 9
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