How to fix backup error on VM – “File exists” (rbd create error)

    During the backup of VM 100 the following error appears:

    ERROR: rbd create 'vm-100-fleece-0' error: rbd: create error: (17) File exists

    Possible Causes

    This error indicates that a fleecing (temporary snapshot) file already exists in the Ceph pool, preventing a new one from being created. The most common causes are:

    1. Residual Fleece File:
      A previous snapshot left the file vm-100-fleece-0 in Ceph and it was not properly removed.

    2. Previously Interrupted Backup:
      If a prior backup for this VM failed or was stopped, the file vm-100-fleece-0 may have been left behind.

    3. Conflict with Another Process:
      Another backup or snapshot process may be interfering with the creation of the new file.

    Recommended Solution

    1. Check if the file already exists in Ceph:

      rbd ls -p ceph-ssd | grep "vm-100-fleece"

      If the file appears in the list, it means there’s a leftover from a previous operation.

    2. Remove the file manually (if it exists):

      rbd rm ceph-ssd/vm-100-fleece-0

    3. Retry the backup once the file has been removed.

    Additional Notes

    • Before deleting the file, make sure no backup process is currently running for the same VM.

    • If the error persists, check that no active snapshots exist for this VM in Ceph.

    • This procedure also applies to other VMs showing the same error — simply adjust the VM number in the file name.

    Published