NetBackup Backup or Restore using Granular Recovery Technology exits Status 1 if Microsoft Client for NFS fails to start

Problem

When Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 server boots with Services for NFS installed, the Client for NFS service starts normally and remains running. If an attempt is made to restart the Client for NFS service using the Services Microsoft Management Console, a pop-up error occurs and the Client for NFS service fails to restart. All NetBackup Granular Recovery Technology backups and restores will fail if attempted without the Client for NFS service started.

Error Message

NetBackup Job Details

ERR - Client for NFS service is either not installed or not running.
ERR - Granular items will not be cataloged.

Cause

There is a undocumented issue with the Services Microsoft Management Console in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2. When a user attempts to stop and start, or restart, the "Client for NFS" service, the "Client for NFS Redirector" system component is not stopped and restarted as well. "Client for NFS Redirector" (also known as NfsRdr) is a file system driver that the "Client for NFS" service requires to operate. If the "Client for NFS Redirector" is not restarted at the time of the "Client for NFS" service restart, "Client for NFS" will fail to start. All NetBackup Granular Recovery Technology information to fail to be collected in any attempt to backup or restore.

Using the Microsoft Windows 'sc' command, details about the hidden "Client for NFS Redirector" system component can be queried.

C:\Windows\System32>sc GetDisplayName NfsRdr
[SC] GetServiceDisplayName SUCCESS
Name = Client for NFS Redirector

C:\Windows\System32>sc qdescription NfsRdr
[SC] QueryServiceConfig2 SUCCESS

SERVICE_NAME: NfsRdr
DESCRIPTION:  Kernel-side part of Client for NFS. Enables a Windows based computer to access NFS server shares

Solution

Stop NFS Redirector using the command:

sc stop NfsRdr

Start "Client for NFS" service using the command:

nfsadmin client start

To prevent the error, when restarting the Client for NFS service, from a command prompt, use the command 'nfsadmin client stop' to correctly shut down both the "Client for NFS" service and the "Client for NFS Redirector".

Applies To

Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (x86 / x64)
Microsoft Services for NFS installed.