[H-GEN] Cloning Linux System

[James Mills]

On Sat, Jun 04, 2005 at 06:56:40AM +0000, Kelvin Heng wrote:
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> 
> Hi guys,
> I have a question, hopefully there is a solution for it.
> 
> I need to clone a Redhat Linux (7.2) server to a secondary location (e.g. 
> Another Server or USB HDD). But I have some restriction, I am not able to 
> have any downtime for the server and will be required to carry out this 
> task while the system is operational.
> 
> Please advise if you know of any method. Thanks in advance.

In the pst I have cloned Debian systems with the following method:

cp -r -a -p / <target>

Where <target> is some mount-point of the newly clonded hard disk.
You would have to skip /dev and /proc though :)
And if you have multiple partitions, you'll have to setup the
partitions on the new hard disk first and change the method
to copy the parittions individually.

Now, since you don't want to take the server down, you may have
to try the following:

1. setup sshfs on the server
2. from another machine, mount the file system of the box
   to be cloned (with root priveleges)
3. then clone

cheers
James

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-"Problems are Solved by Method"
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