VNX/VNXe Family : Can't rename a non empty directory on a FLR enabled FS
Summary: If the FS is FLR enabled, no matter the retention or autolock, a non empty directory can't be renamed.
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Symptoms
In this case the FLR enabled FS was set to auto lock after 5 minutes and retention for 3 days.
A directory was freshly created with files added to that directory, then Immediately a rename was done to the directory, the Admin sees the message:
"mv data1 olddata1
mv: cannot move 'data1' to 'olddata1': Directory not empty"
Rename of the directory failed.
Cause
The FLR system anticipates that these files will be locked, and therefore prevents the path from being altered. This is known and documented in the Locked State. It is also true in the not yet locked state.
See Page 6 of the "Managing an FLR-Enabled NAS Environment with the EMC File-Level Retention Toolkit"
See Page 6 of the "Managing an FLR-Enabled NAS Environment with the EMC File-Level Retention Toolkit"
"In FLR-C and FLR-E file systems, you cannot modify or delete files that are in the Locked state. Additionally, the path to a file in the Locked state is also protected from modification, which means you cannot delete or rename a directory on a FLR file system if it contains protected files."
Resolution
Functioning as designed.
Affected Products
VNX/VNXeProducts
VNX/VNXeArticle Properties
Article Number: 000052134
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 06 Nov 2025
Version: 3
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