If the volume header is corrupted, the Salvager removes the volume completely and records the removal in its log file, /usr/afs/logs/SalvageLog. Issue the vos release or vos backup command to create the read-only or backup volume again.
If the volume header is intact, the Salvager skips the volume (does not check for corruption in the contents). However, if the File Server notices corruption as it initializes, it sometimes refuses to attach the volume or bring it online. In this case, it is simplest to remove the volume by issuing the vos remove or vos zap command. Then issue the vos release or vos backup command to create it again.
Unlike other server process initialization commands, the Salvager command is designed to be issued at the command shell prompt, as well as being placed into a file server machine's /usr/afs/local/BosConfig file with the bos create command. It is also possible to invoke the Salvager remotely by issuing the bos salvage command.
Combine the command's options as indicated to salvage different numbers of read/write volumes:
To salvage all volumes on the file server machine, provide no arguments. No volumes on the machine are accessible to Cache Managers during the salvage, because the BOS Server stops the File Server and Volume Server processes while the Salvager runs.
To salvage all of the volumes on one partition, provide the -partition argument. As for a salvage of all volumes on the machine, no volumes on the machine are accessible to Cache Managers during the salvage operation.
To salvage only one volume, combine the -partition and -volumeid arguments. Only that volume is inaccessible to Cache Managers, because the BOS Server does not shutdown the File Server and Volume Server processes.
The Salvager normally salvages only those read/write volumes that are marked as having been active when a crash occurred. To have it salvage all relevant read/write volumes, add the -force flag.
The Salvager normally creates new inodes as it repairs damage. If the partition is so full that there is no room for new inodes, use the -nowrite argument to bringing undamaged volumes online without attempting to salvage damaged volumes. Then use the vos move command to move one or more of the undamaged volumes to other partitions, freeing up the space that the Salvager needs to create new inodes.
By default, multiple Salvager subprocesses run in parallel: one for each partition up to four, and four subprocesses for four or more partitions. To increase or decrease the number of subprocesses running in parallel, provide a positive integer value for the -parallel argument.
If there is more than one server partition on a physical disk,
the Salvager by default salvages them serially to avoid the inefficiency of constantly moving the disk head from one partition to another.
However,
this strategy is often not ideal if the partitions are configured as logical volumes that span multiple disks.
To force the Salvager to salvage logical volumes in parallel as if they were on separate disks,
provide the string all as the value for the -parallel argument.
To set both parameters at the same time,
append the number of Salvager processes to the string all.
For example,
-parallel all5 treats each partition as a separate disk and runs five Salvager processes,
thus salvaging five partitions at a time.
The Salvager creates temporary files as it runs, by default writing them to the partition it is salvaging. The number of files can be quite large, and if the partition is too full to accommodate them, the Salvager terminates without completing the salvage operation (it always removes the temporary files before exiting). Other Salvager subprocesses running at the same time continue until they finish salvaging all other partitions where there is enough disk space for temporary files. To complete the interrupted salvage, reissue the command against the appropriate partitions, adding the -tmpdir argument to redirect the temporary files to a local disk directory that has enough space.
The -orphans argument controls how the Salvager handles orphaned files and directories that it finds on server partitions it is salvaging. An orphaned element is completely inaccessible because it is not referenced by the vnode of any directory that can act as its parent (is higher in the filespace). Orphaned objects occupy space on the server partition, but do not count against the volume's quota.
To generate a list of all mount points that reside in one or more volumes, rather than actually salvaging them, include the -showmounts flag.
This command does not use the syntax conventions of the AFS command suites. Provide the command name and all option names in full.