reading user. extended attributes from symlinks in 2.6 kernels

reading user. extended attributes from symlinks in 2.6 kernels

[Rok Ruzic]

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Hello,

I have an XFS filesystem containing files and symlinks with application-specific EAs in the user namespace. The files, symlinks and their EAs were created while running a 2.4 kernel. 

In 2.6 kernels access to user EAs was prevented for symlinks. My problem is that i have to upgrade the kernel from 2.4 to 2.6 series and i have to have access to all the EAs after upgrade. Is there a way to read user EAs off of symlinks on an XFS filesystem on a 2.6 kernel either from userspace or from a filter driver sitting between VFS and XFS filesystem code?

I would appreciate it very much if somebody could point me towards a solution.

Rok

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Re: reading user. extended attributes from symlinks in 2.6 kernels

[Bill Davidsen]

Rok Ruzic wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I have an XFS filesystem containing files and symlinks with application-specific EAs in the user namespace. The files, symlinks and their EAs were created while running a 2.4 kernel. 
> 
> In 2.6 kernels access to user EAs was prevented for symlinks. My
problem is that i have to upgrade the kernel from 2.4 to 2.6 series and
i have to have access to all the EAs after upgrade. Is there a way to
read user EAs off of symlinks on an XFS filesystem on a 2.6 kernel
either from userspace or from a filter driver sitting between VFS and
XFS filesystem code?
> 
> I would appreciate it very much if somebody could point me towards a solution.
> 
If you want to do it at user code level, you could note the symlink, 
follow it to the "real" name, and read the EA there. I don't see any 
easy way to force the kernel to follow the symlink.


-- 
Bill Davidsen <davidsen@tmr.com>
   "We have more to fear from the bungling of the incompetent than from
the machinations of the wicked."  - from Slashdot