rsync to clone server A to server B concerns?

[Brian Millett]

On Thu, 2009-06-04 at 14:04 +1200, Paul Ward wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I want to clone server A to server B using rsync.
> 
> If server A is RHEL3 on a hardware mirror and I have a newer server B
> that has new hardware and needs to be the same can I use rsync to copy
> the OS and installed oracle installation?
> 
> My plan is to boot both servers up on a live cd, then copy the data
> across the network.
> I will first install a minimal install of RHEL3 on server b first then
> use rsync.
> I am concerned if the server will work afterwards due to different
> hardware although both servers are IBM, and other issues like grub,
> should I avoid updating grub.
> 
> Any advice would be welcome as doing the whole build from fresh and
> installing all the custom software would be a pain.

I've done just what you suggest.  

I had to boot the system b with the install cd and do a repair system
and it was fine.

Some items to look out for:

1) network cards might not be configured correctly, or be configured
with the same ip so boot system b without a cable attached to fix the
nic

2) fstab might need to be fixed due to how the disks are referenced.  IE
device name, UUID, or label

3) /boot/grub/menu.lst might need fixing also because of the nameing
conventiion of the disks.

You also might want to look at the clonezilla livecd to clone from on
system to the next.  That also works fantastic.

-- 
Brian Millett - [ Kosh, "Deathwalker"]
"A stroke of the brush does not guarantee art from the bristles."

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