archive bit in xattr possible/exist?

[John E. Malmberg]

David Orman wrote:
> I know it is possible to use "map archive" to keep track of archive
> bits, but this is not very useful if you have real UNIX users.  I.e. I
> can't have samba arbitrarily playing with the execute bits.
> 
> Does anyone know of any attempted implementation of archive bits through
> extended attributes?  This would probably need a VFS layer, to get and
> set them appropriately.

Samba 2.0.6 for OpenVMS.

> If no one has looked into this is there a better/different way of
> tracking archive bits?

Tracking the bit to meaningfully give the state is operating system 
dependent.  And may even depend on optional backup products installed.

OpenVMS has the last recorded backup date as an attribute for the file, 
so SAMBA 2.0.6 for OpenVMS has it implemented as a O.S. specific hack to 
report the backup state of the file.

At this time, SAMBA 2.0.6 for OpenVMS does not allow the client to 
manipulate the backup date, as there is no public A.P.I. to do it.

A VFS layer may be a way to do this.

-John
wb8tyw at qsl.network
Personal Opinion Only