topic failed to migrate vfiler unit. reason: operation not allowed, vfiler has other references in ONTAP Discussions

failed to migrate vfiler unit. reason: operation not allowed, vfiler has other references

fletch2007 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 06:53:55 GMT

Anyone seen this error?

I'm doing a vFiler migrate via NMC 3.0.2 from a 3170 running 7.3.3 to a 3270 running 7.3.5.1P2

The error occurs during cutover:

right after a successful "putting vfiler unit 'xyz-vfiler' in 'migrate prepare' mode"

thanks

failed to migrate vfiler unit. reason: operation not allowed, vfiler has other references

sinhaa — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:53:26 GMT

Hello fletch,

Yes I've seen this error. This error "vfiler has other references "means that your vfiler is being currently accessed at other places as well. Most common one is you have a vfiler context opened at some console and trying a cutover. This is not allowed.

Another but less common possibility is your vfiler is being accessed for by some ZAPI for some operation.

So close any vfiler context opened for that vfiler unit and re-try cutover. It will work.

warm regards,

Abhishek

failed to migrate vfiler unit. reason: operation not allowed, vfiler has other references

fletch2007 — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:44:24 GMT

Yes, did a "vfiler context vfiler0" (eventhough the context prompt did not show it was in the problem vfiler) and it succeeded

thanks!