Cloning Linux?

Cameron,

This sounds like a pretty intense job for a small group of people with no Linux experience. Linux isn't that hard to use but I doubt anyone would try something similar with windows if they didn't have any experience. Personally, I'd suggest looking for someone in your area that is a Linux enthusiast and seeing if they would be willing to help for a reasonable price. For a school wanting to move to Linux I'd bet there are even some who would volunteer. Where do you live? I know that in the States there are Ubuntu groups in most states and many of them do this kind of stuff as advocacy. Check https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoTeamList to see if you can find a team in your area.

As for your question, I asked on a local list here and got a few suggestions. I'm afraid I cannot offer much more help in this case. I don't know much about this type of roll out. I was just trying to help you get some info. It seems like a worthwhile project to me. Here is the info I got.

"There are many different ways to do this. I have used SystemImager
previously and found it worked quite well for a large number of
installs. For Debian/Ubuntu FAI (Fully Automated Install) I am told
works well. If the disks are all identical then dd copying the disks
would probably be fastest. Nortan Ghost? Many other methods.
That is going to be difficult because I don't know of any solutions that
are suitable for a non-technical person to roll out on 1400 machines.

I personally would probably set up a pxe boot that then did a dd disk
copy from a network location. Then it would be a matter of grinding
through booting 1400 laptops from the network. Ugh. Organize a crew
of student volunteers to help to make it go quicker. Alternatively a
usb boot would be reasonable too.

An additional problem that wasn't asked will be who and how will a
small group of non-technical people support 1400 laptops when the
inevitable problems start to appear? Even though everything starts
working fine I have confidence in human nature that when 1400 people
are involved that 1%-5% of them will be active participants in the
breaking of them."

I hope that gives you some ideas and doesn't discourage you too much. He is right though. That is a lot of work for a small group. The IT department at my school is about the same size but we only have about 400 staff. You are going to be overworked. Still, it's a worthwhile project so good luck.

That is very helpful thank you for all of that. The problems we run into I do not think will be a problem it will be a good learning experience. We have used WIndows in the past years, and the main reason we're switching to Linux is the money, we will save alot. I understand there are a few of us, but we have done so much now, and all we want to do is figure out how to clone a Linux install. We used Norton Ghost for windows previous years, we've tried tons of software for this clone job for Linux but wee get errors, I cannot remember if we've tried SystemImager or not but wee will give it a try.

Our location is in Alabama, we are confidant we can do this however we just need to figure out how and we can get started.

Thank you again for all your support and help.

Yours kindly,
Cameron

That is very helpful thank you for all of that. The problems we run into I do not think will be a problem it will be a good learning experience. We have used WIndows in the past years, and the main reason we're switching to Linux is the money, we will save alot. I understand there are a few of us, but we have done so much now, and all we want to do is figure out how to clone a Linux install. We used Norton Ghost for windows previous years, we've tried tons of software for this clone job for Linux but wee get errors, I cannot remember if we've tried SystemImager or not but wee will give it a try.

Our location is in Alabama, we are confidant we can do this however we just need to figure out how and we can get started.

Thank you again for all your support and help.

Yours kindly,
Cameron

I'm confused on what "dd" copying is?

Also I want to add we do not have a image server, mainly because our internet is not fast enough for that uploading/downloading. We like to just make an image on a external drive, or DVD/CD and the boot from it and restore the image that way.

Thanks,
Cam

Hi Cam,

Please refer these links

http://www.techsupportforum.com/alternative-computing/linux-support/153653-cloning-ubuntu-drive-how.html
http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2006/12/05/how-to-clone-an-installation-ubuntu-510-6061-610/
http://debian.co.nz/Hard+Drive+Migration.html

--Murali Marimekala

Thank you very much! I'll give those a try, and get in contact with those people who succeeded.

Thank you again Murali, and Jim I will never forget you!

-Cameron Bradford