Shadow Copy Components / System State backup fails with status code 13: file read failed

Problem

Shadow Copy Components / System State backup fails with status code 13: file read failed.

Error Message

Similar messages may be found in the  client's bpfis log:

14:33:47.892 [4968.2376] <2> log_fs_dev_rec: INF - fs_name=System State:\
14:33:47.892 [4968.2376] <2> log_fs_dev_rec: INF - fs_type=no_root
14:33:47.892 [4968.2376] <2> log_fs_dev_rec: INF - mnt_device=System State:\
.
14:33:49.015 [4968.2376] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - snapshot services: winfsys:Mon Jan 26 2015 14:33:49.015000 WinFsysFiCoordinator::claim, GetVolumeInformationW,Name:['System State:\'], fsname: [], Status: [0]
14:33:49.015 [4968.2376] <2> onlfi_vfms_logf: INF - snapshot services: winfsys:Mon Jan 26 2015 14:33:49.015000 WinFsysFiCoordinator::claim 253, Error message: ' failed with error 123: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
.
14:33:49.047 [4968.2376] <32> onlfi_fim_split: FTL - vfm_freeze_commit: method: VSS, type: FIM, function: VSS_gentree
14:33:49.047 [4968.2376] <32> onlfi_fim_split: FTL - VfMS method error 1054; see following message:
14:33:49.047 [4968.2376] <32> onlfi_fim_split: FTL - snapshot services: snapshot target analysis failed: resource not claimed by any provider.

Note: bpfis log can be found in <install dir>\Veritas\NetBackup\logs\bpfis\ folder on the client. Create the folder if it does not exist and re-run the backup to generate the log.

Cause

The above error may occur under the following conditions:

1. Both Shadow Copy Components:\ and System State:\ are listed in the policy's Backup Selections, and

2. Allow multiple data streams option is checked.

This scenario will cause NetBackup to create separate jobs for both Shadow Copy Components and System State, however both require access to the same snapshot profile at the same time, which is not allowed by VSS.

Solution

Do not add both Shadow Copy Components:\ and System State:\ directives to the Backup Selections. Use only Shadow Copy Components:\ directive as it covers System State:\ as well and more (but not vice versa). 

Applies To

Windows Server 2008 / 2008 R2.