Recommendations for System Cloning

[Bernadette Keohan]

I am looking for the best way to clone a system from one N-Class to another. The systems are NOT network connected, but will be almost identical in nature, i.e., hardware, software, patches, filesystems, etc. The problem I'm having centers around the amount of data involved, I need to get 250GB from one N to the other.

I would love to use make_sys_image but am unsure if there are limitations to the size of the archive make_sys_image can create.

I would also need to use a DLT tape to put the archive on, since make_sys_image creates an archive approximately 50% the size of the archive, I will need to use multiple DLT tape drives. Does anyone know if make_sys_image supports multiple tapes for archive storage?

I will be placing the golden image on an N class with an EMC box, must the EMC drives be mapped prior to the ignition?

Thanks in advance for your responses,
Bernie

[Robert Gamble]

Bernie,

In your case, I would only use Ignite-UX for your vg00 (only the normal lvols), and use use your prefered method of archiving to backup and restore the 250GB (I'm assuming non-root data because of its size) on the new system. IMO, it would be much easier and cleaner that way.

Good Luck!

[Anthony Goonetilleke]

I think you said you were using an EMC box, well if that is the case you can share disk paths between machines and use vgchange to activate volumem groups in sharing mode. This wil take care of your data instead of using the network.

IN terms of your system I would do two things if you have a spare disk mirror the root volume break it and then swap it onto the second machine (With N and L this is very easy as the disks are hot swappable)
Create another mirror on this machine in order to sink it and then you have your root volumes.

The alternative is to use make_recover if you have access to a DDS or some other tape drive.

[Carlos Fernandez Riera]

Hi:




I think that best way is to do a make_sys_image with Vg structure but whithout data of 250GB.

You can backup 250Gb en one or more medias to apply after system cloning.


In this way when you clone systems, you will get complete structure of disk (all VGs, lvols and filesystem created, and mount points ) and cloned O.S. .

Once you have your new system up, just recover data.