Technote (troubleshooting)
Problem(Abstract)
Using the mklink command with IBM Rational ClearCase either fails to create the link or causes a BSOD.
Symptom
You can use Microsoft Windows mklink command to create symbolic links between two locations of the same file system or two different file systems. When you use the command mklink with the source and destination in a dynamic view, the command fails to create the link with an error.
>cd H:\<vobtag>\folder
>mklink /D link_name H:\<vobtag>\folder\data\
The parameter is incorrect.
When you do use the command mklink with the source outside a dynamic view and destination in a dynamic view, it allow the creation of the link. Use of the link cause a BSOD and reboot the machine.
C:\>mklink /D link_name Y:\<vobtag>\dir3
symbolic link created for link_name <<===>> Y:\<vobtag>\dir3
>cd link_name
>cleartool ls
(system crash)
Cause
The feature "reparse points" created the links that mklink generated. Reparse points are implemented on NTFS, but not on the MVFS itself.
When you use a snapshot view, usually NTFS file sytems stores the files. This is why mklink works error free in that situation.
When you use dynamic views, the requests go to MVFS as a target file system, although NTFS stores the view and vob. MVFS does not support reparse points and fails with an invalid parameter at creation time or a BSOD and reboot the system.
The BSOD issue has been identified as a product defect and has been logged under APAR PM77414.
Resolving the problem
Rational ClearCase does not support symbolic links with mklink in a dynamic view.
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