Informix Error -43338: (-43338) Non whole-system backups are not allowed if the database server is dismissing logical logs.

Cause and resolution

(-43338) Non whole-system backups are not allowed if the database server is dismissing logical logs.

Non whole-system backups need logical logs to be restored to bring the database server to a consinstent state. If logs cannot be backed up, non whole-system backups are not allowed.

ACTION Set the LTAPEDEV parameter value in the ONCONFIG file to something other than '/dev/null' (UNIX), 'NUL' (Windows), or blank and restart the database server.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-43338 fires when a non-whole-system backup is attempted while LTAPEDEV dismisses logical logs — per the official guidance, such backups need logical logs restorable to reach a consistent state, which isn't possible if logs can't be backed up.

LTAPEDEV set to /dev/null (UNIX), NUL (Windows), or blank, per the official guidance — the direct, only cause.

Solutions / Resolution

Set LTAPEDEV in ONCONFIG to a real value and restart the database server, per the official guidance.

Examples

Enabling logical log backup

# In $ONCONFIG — before (logs dismissed)
LTAPEDEV /dev/null

# After (logs retained)
LTAPEDEV /dev/ltape

Diagnostic Checks

Check LTAPEDEV's configured value, and set it to a real device/path (then restart the server) if a non-whole-system backup is needed.

Related Errors / Related Topics

-43336 — "(-43336) Logical Logs cannot be backed-up because the database server is dismissing the logical logs." The same LTAPEDEV dismiss setting, restricting logical log backup directly rather than non-whole-system backups.

Non-whole-system backups aren't allowed while LTAPEDEV dismisses logical logs — set it to a real value and restart the server.