Moodle

Use of Internal PHP 5.2.8 zip not backing up large courses via cron - implications for Moodle 2.0

Details

  • Type: Bug Bug
  • Status: Closed Closed
  • Priority: Major Major
  • Resolution: Duplicate
  • Affects Version/s: 1.9.4
  • Fix Version/s: None
  • Component/s: Backup
  • Labels:
    None
  • Environment:
    Cent OS with PHP 5.2.8
  • Affected Branches:
    MOODLE_19_STABLE

Description

In preparation for installing a Moodle 2.0 test setup, we installed PHP 5.2.8 on our Cent OS server, complete with zip enabled. On executing our nightly cron job, 2 courses failed at the zip stage. One was 2.2 Gb and one was 4.5 Gb.

Summary
==================================================
Courses: 503
OK: 426
Skipped: 75
Error: 0
Unfinished: 2

Luckily, with Moodle 1.9.x, we can still specify an alternate zip/unzip path. We did, and the courses backed up properly. Unfortunately, as currently designed, the option is not available once one moved to Moodle 2.0. This could be a serious issue for those with large courses.

Can the option to define the path for zip and unzip not be left in Server ... System Paths screen for Moodle 2.0?
Are there issues with allowing for alternate zip/unzip routines in Moodle 2.0?

This was also posted within the Using Moodle forum: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=114786#p505434

thanks
L

Activity

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Petr Škoda (skodak) added a comment -

hello, backup/restore is broken at the moment; 2.0dev is not suitable for any use yet

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Petr Škoda (skodak) added a comment - hello, backup/restore is broken at the moment; 2.0dev is not suitable for any use yet
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Larry M Elchuck, Ph.D. added a comment -

Petr

Is there reason to believe that backup/restore with Moodle 2.0 will act any differently with the PHP 5.2.8 zip than Moodle 1.9.4 does?

Our cron backups (including failures) were using Moodle 1.9.4 with PHP 5.2.8 zip.

If Moodle 2.0 will react the same way, we will have a problem.

If one is using Moodle 1.9.4 with PHP 5.2.8 zip and has large courses they will be in trouble (without using an alternate zip/unzip). That's why I want to nip moodle 2.0 in the bud if no alternative zip/unzip will be allowed.

larry

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Larry M Elchuck, Ph.D. added a comment - Petr Is there reason to believe that backup/restore with Moodle 2.0 will act any differently with the PHP 5.2.8 zip than Moodle 1.9.4 does? Our cron backups (including failures) were using Moodle 1.9.4 with PHP 5.2.8 zip. If Moodle 2.0 will react the same way, we will have a problem. If one is using Moodle 1.9.4 with PHP 5.2.8 zip and has large courses they will be in trouble (without using an alternate zip/unzip). That's why I want to nip moodle 2.0 in the bud if no alternative zip/unzip will be allowed. larry
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Martin Dougiamas added a comment - - edited

(Edited because I just remembered 1.9.4 doesn't use php zip).

Larry, the "internal" zip on 1.9.x and before is actually a 3rd party library called pclzip. So the problem on 1.9.x you saw might not be related to your PHP upgrade.

However,

Petr, I really think we should try to support command-line zip as a second-class option if we can (copy file, then unzip, then copy back into file api?) ... this also has the benefit of reducing our PHP requirement to 5.2.6

Show
Martin Dougiamas added a comment - - edited (Edited because I just remembered 1.9.4 doesn't use php zip). Larry, the "internal" zip on 1.9.x and before is actually a 3rd party library called pclzip. So the problem on 1.9.x you saw might not be related to your PHP upgrade. However, Petr, I really think we should try to support command-line zip as a second-class option if we can (copy file, then unzip, then copy back into file api?) ... this also has the benefit of reducing our PHP requirement to 5.2.6
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Larry M Elchuck, Ph.D. added a comment -

Hi Marin and Petr

I just sent an email to my peers within the ITS division of the NS Department of Education of the who actually resolved the issue of large courses (both in September and after the 5.2.8 upgrade last week). They maintain the server box itself with respect to the A-M-P part. One of them can ratchet up the conversation in terms of the actual troubleshooting and resolution on our end.

Thanks for looking at this in more depth.
larry

Show
Larry M Elchuck, Ph.D. added a comment - Hi Marin and Petr I just sent an email to my peers within the ITS division of the NS Department of Education of the who actually resolved the issue of large courses (both in September and after the 5.2.8 upgrade last week). They maintain the server box itself with respect to the A-M-P part. One of them can ratchet up the conversation in terms of the actual troubleshooting and resolution on our end. Thanks for looking at this in more depth. larry
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James MacLean added a comment -

Perhaps Larry is referring to the time out problem. Search for James MacLean in this forum:

http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=95768

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James MacLean added a comment - Perhaps Larry is referring to the time out problem. Search for James MacLean in this forum: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=95768

Dates

  • Created:
    Updated:
    Resolved:
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