Avamar: /tmp/vmdk_ may be left on proxy /tmp filesystem

Summary: Avamar proxy runs out of space because /tmp/vmdk* files are being left behind.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

When running the command df -h you can see the proxy's root partition is out of space:

df -h output showing space situation

When viewing the /tmp on the proxy there are multiple vmdk* files:

Contents of /tmp directory

 

Cause

When a backup is performed with the index or exclude feature enabled the proxy connects to the vm using vixMntAPI and copies the windows registry file to /tmp/vmdk_####,

[VcbImageBackupAssistThread]  HLPR_IsfileExist::sLine = 83623936 Apr  4 00:26 2017 SYSTEM2022/11/23-19:03:27.52207 [VcbImageBackupAssistThread]  HLPR_SaveFileInVMDKToTmp::command line :  /usr/local/bin/ntfscat /dev/loop1 Windows/System32/config/SYSTEM > /tmp/vmdk_jQHnvy


If there is problem opening or reading /tmp/vmdk_jQHnvy, the proxy prints a warning message like this. It will not delete the temp file.

avvcbimage Warning <44016>: ReadRegistryEntriesFromRegFile::failed to read system child nodes values of MountedDevices 2022-11-23 19:03:31 avvcbimage Warning <43586>: GetExcludeFileSectors::Get partition driver letter failed.

 

Resolution

Workaround: 
Disable the index and exclude feature in the dataset. 
Open Avamar's web interface and navigate to Settings --> Dataset --> Select the appropriate dataset --> Edit.
Clear the boxIndex VMware Image Backups features as shown below:
Edit Dataset





A permanent solution is addressed by the following proxy hotfixes.

  • Avamar 19.4: This was resolved in proxy HF 338728. Install the latest cumulative proxy hotfix. 
  • Avamar 19.7: This was resolved in proxy HF 337617. Install the latest cumulative proxy hotfix. 
  • Avamar 19.8: This was resolved in proxy HF 338258. Install the latest cumulative proxy hotfix. 

Affected Products

Avamar
Article Properties
Article Number: 000212615
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 27 Aug 2025
Version:  4
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