[rhn-users] Cloning machines

[Dave Edsall - JETSETer]

>I have done this using dd .. on none raid systems..
>
>If both disks are the same size this will work.
>
>The local changes will need to be done afterward include the name of the
>system and the IP address if you are running fixed IP :-\ if you are
>running DHCP then you should not need to worry about that.
>
>I go into single user mode with the target/slave disk just connected but
>not used by the OS on either the sata or ide bus
>
>The command that I have used is
>
>nice -19 dd if=3D/dev/hdc of=3D/dev/hdd bs=3D8192k &<ret>
>

   I've done this also, many times, with up to 20 systems. When I can't remove 
the drives, I have booted each system off bootable CDs running Damn Small 
Linux, set up a private network between them with a cross-over cable and done 
the dd via ssh.

   We've also done this once with a RAID 1 container to another RAID 1 
container.

>I have seen a complete duplication on a 150 Gig drive being done in 1
>hour 40 minutes.. your speed will vary depending on the CPU clock speed
>etc..=20

   In my case, a 40 GB disk will take just under half an hour. 


      Dave


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Dave Edsall                        
Academic Systems Software
Information Technology Services  
Iowa State University       
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