Re: [SLE] needing to clone Suse servers

Per Jessen wrote:
Claris Castillo wrote:

I need to clone a couple of *critical* SUSE servers in *.img files.
I have two questions:
(1) Could you please recommend a tool to do this? Some How-To?
(2) How can I then install this image *img in a particular location
(/mnt/).

What do you imagine the .img file to be? A binary copy of the disk(s)?
A gzipped tarfile of the filesystem contents?

For cloning an already installed server, I usually do:

1) bring the server down, 2) install the drive I want to clone to
3) boot up a rescue-system
4) rsynz -avH <source> <target>
5) bring the server down,
6) remove the new clone
7) restart the server normally.

However, this is probably not the right approach assuming your servers
cannot be stopped.


/Per Jessen, Zürich


Assuming that you don't mind paying for commercial software, I would suggest Acronis.
www.acronis.com
They have a Linux Server option. I am including the blurb from the website below. I have used their Desktop version for some time and I am very pleased with it. It is pretty much bullet proof.
Ralph Ellis

Acronis True Image 9.1 Server for Linux

The only Linux disk imaging and bare-metal restore solution on the market!

Locally managed online server backup, server disk imaging, and bare-metal restore solution for Linux servers

Are you a small organization running a couple of mission-critical Linux servers in one location with limited IT staff? How much business would you lose if these servers went down? Acronis True Image 9.1 Server for Linux provides comprehensive system protection and recovery of Linux servers and allows you to get back to business and minimize downtime.

Acronis True Image Server for Linux allows you to 1) create an exact server disk image, including the operating system, applications, and configurations and 2) backup mission critical databases.

After a system crash, Acronis True Image Server for Linux allows you to perform a full system restore, a bare-metal restore or just a restore of individual files and folders in minutes.

Based on the exclusive Acronis Drive Snapshot technology, Acronis True Image Server for Linux allows you to create a server disk backup image without interrupting server operations, providing 24 x 7 availability.

New features:
NEW! DVD Burning --- Save backups directly to DVDs without using 3<sup>rd</sup> party DVD burning software

New! DVD Burning --- Save backups directly to DVDs without using 3rd party DVD burning software
*
Automatic image verification --- Peace of mind by ensuring that images can be used for restoration

Automatic image verification --- Peace of mind by ensuring that images can be used for restoration
*
Modify images --- Mount images in read/write mode and apply changes directly (note: this is new)

Modify images --- Mount images in read/write mode and apply changes directly
*
Differential backups --- Decrease the number of backups you manage

Differential backups --- Decrease the number of backups you manage
*
File backups, in addition to our traditional image backups --- Flexible system protection

File backups, in addition to our traditional image backups --- Flexible system protection
*
Exclude files from backups --- Capture only business data and saves space in storage archives ensuring that you capture only business data

Exclude files from backups --- Capture only business data and saves space in storage archives ensuring that you capture only business data
*
Custom scripts before/after backups --- Facilitate compliance with company-wide backup policies

Custom scripts before/after backups --- Facilitate compliance with company-wide backup policies
*
Throttling to control hard disk write speed and network bandwidth usage --- Minimize disruptions of business operations

Throttling to control hard disk write speed and network bandwidth usage --- Minimize disruptions of business operations
*
Create CDs with bootable images, and bootable recovery media ISOs --- Eliminate the need to have separate recovery media

Create CDs with bootable images, and bootable recovery media ISOs --- Eliminate the need to have separate recovery media



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