[dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

Jim Lawrence accessd at shaw.ca
Sat Sep 26 12:09:15 CDT 2009


I was only meantioning it because most of my recent client and personal
upgardes have been because one or more of their drives has simply ran out of
room. 

Aside: I deal with a number of imaging clients; photoshop, XSI, Illustrator,
photgraphs etc. and they can use drive space up at unbelievable speeds. One
client filled a new 300GB drive in 2 weeks on one project! (They now have
4TB worth of space. 4 x 500GB plus 2 x 1TB and I hope the power supply holds
out.) 

Just ran across this open-source package that might another interesting
product along the line of Clonezilla.

It called FOG. It is open source and also clones all distros Linux, Windows
and Mac, has a GUI and can be used as an enterprise solution on your
business or home network.

http://www.fogproject.org

There is also a comparative conversation, long on conversation and short on
details, giving a comparison of FOG and Clonezella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIHN_ublWJ4

(I really hate the prattling... get to meat... but it does give some broad
point reviews.) 

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Max Wanadoo
Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 9:30 AM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

That sort of defeats the object. What I want to create periodic images when
I get to certain points knowing that I would be happy to restore to that
point (A bit like the native Restore Point).  I don't want to swap disks,
or, hang on, maybe I do.  If I were to buy a smaller disk and then image
onto that and then boot from it, I can then rerun clonezilla to do another
image onto my large (main) disk which is now corrupt.

Hmm, yeah, that might work...long way round though. I cant view the video
because my connection is too slow.

What would be the implication with MS?  I understand that part of the
Key-Installation is to take a snapshot of the system and the create havoc if
you change something like a hard drive?

Max

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lawrence
Sent: 26 September 2009 17:13
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

Hi Max:

Just bumped it the Utube video on the product:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WGSMHWV73s

...Or get a brand new drive, that has not been formatted yet and re-image
over it. If the new drive boots...perfect.

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Max Wanadoo
Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 9:02 AM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

THAT is a very good question.

The only way to find out is to get a sacrificial PC, image it, destroy the
boot sector electronically (not physically, of course) and then boot from
Clinezilla, restore the image and try it.

Go on, you know you want to know - we all do!

Max


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lawrence
Sent: 26 September 2009 16:57
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

That sounds excellent Max. I have never used Clonezilla before but now you
have saved me the trouble. My only question would be; If the boot drive
fails will the restored drive boot? In otherwards, does it restore the boot
sectors?

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Max Wanadoo
Sent: Saturday, September 26, 2009 5:37 AM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: [dba-Tech] Create System Image using Clonezilla

Hi, I pass this info on for anybody who is thinking about creating a system
image.

I have just had to rebuild my HP Pavilion and then installed all the
software etc,  followed by all the updates, etc.  Took absolutely hours and
hours.

I then  wanted to take a snapshot image of my Drive C: so that if it happens
again, I can just restore the image.

The software I used was Clonezilla which is FREE opensource software.

It took about 4 hours to copy 582 Gb disk with 124 Gb used.  The image
created on my USB Seagate 1.5Tb HD was 82 Gb.  I believe Clonezilla only
copies sectors physically used.

Warning: there is no lovely GUI interface. You create a CD  from an image
and then change you bios setting to ensure you boot from the CD.

At various times it will ask you for information, in particular which drive
you want backing up and which drive you are backing up to.  Make sure you
GET THIS right and read the screen slowly and carefully.

I haven't got the patience to spend another 4 hours to test the restore, but
to do so, you boot from the CD again and then select the option to Restore
instead of Create image.

It was painless and appeared to have gone through without a hitch.  My
system is a 64bit OS running Windows Vista Home Premium and the Clonezilla
was the 32bit program.  Don't be frightened about the use of exe with the
words linux in the  title, it works just fine on windows.

It also creates a text file with the parameters to run it again - don't know
where it put it though!!  Hope I can find it, because then I can rerun this
from a batch file overnight at regular intervals.

Next job it to make sure everything loads and runs ok and then to install
the VirtualBox stuff.

Max


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