Disk Cloning Software for Ubuntu

[Captain Spaulding]

I'm shifting my workbench machine from a Windows machine to a Ubuntu machine, I'm finding it's better for data recovery work ddrescue etc.

On my Windows machine I use EaseUS backup to create an image of a customers disk prior to doing anything that might be dangerous such as malware removal etc. I like the GUI, it's simple and and easy to use and never had any problems.

Is there anything like it I could use on Ubuntu for similar operations, not a sector by sector clone just a simple disk backup for disks that are in a good shape.

 

[coffee]

Pretty much the best IMO is 'dd' and 'dd_rescue'. However, They all do a sector by sector backup. Clonezilla is good also. However, You pretty much boot up clonezilla rather than run it from the OS. Unless you want to build a clonezilla server.

dd seems faster than clonezilla.

*** Take a look at Trinity Rescue Kit ****
I have just ran across it and it might do what you are looking for. Im still reading on it.

I run a dual core AMD with just an 80 gig system drive in my clone box. I have 2 hotswap bays. Currently I check the health of drives / Remove partitions / delete partitions with gnome disk program.

coffee

 

[SilverLeaf]

A few different options come to mind, depending on your specific needs:

1. Partclone - Command line tool to back up used blocks. Supports numerous file systems.
2. Partimage - Similar to Partclone, but with a semi-graphical (ncurses) interface.
3. FSArchiver - Command line, file-system backup with lots of helpful features.

 

[coffee]

Ok, This is what is needed for linux in the shop. A system that will backup drives and can be accessed from any device in the shop. I found another that looks interesting.

http://www.fogproject.org/?q=screenshots

Now, I use some inexpensive Kwin swap bays I got off newegg but the software area has always been a bit lacking. The FOG software looks interesting as you could setup a basic computer to act like a clone box and access it from your office. Really, The only interaction with the clone box running fog would be to swap out a drive. Then you can walk back to your desk and access it from there.

First time I have seen this. Might have to dig into it a bit more. It has possibilities.

coffee

 

[SilverLeaf]

Ok, This is what is needed for linux in the shop. A system that will backup drives and can be accessed from any device in the shop. I found another that looks interesting.

http://www.fogproject.org/?q=screenshots

Now, I use some inexpensive Kwin swap bays I got off newegg but the software area has always been a bit lacking. The FOG software looks interesting as you could setup a basic computer to act like a clone box and access it from your office. Really, The only interaction with the clone box running fog would be to swap out a drive. Then you can walk back to your desk and access it from there.

First time I have seen this. Might have to dig into it a bit more. It has possibilities.

coffee

My Ubuntu server running FOG was the foundation of my shop, although I used it mostly for PXE services rather than for imaging and deployment. Its a great project, and the original foundation for smashedbotatos' PXE server thread here: http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34477

 

[coffee]

My Ubuntu server running FOG was the foundation of my shop, although I used it mostly for PXE services rather than for imaging and deployment. Its a great project, and the original foundation for smashedbotatos' PXE server thread here: http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34477

Hey Silverleaf,

Would fog make any sense to use on a system to clone drives inserted into the hotswap trays? For example, Pull a windows drive and insert it into one HS tray and then a bare drive in the other and have fog clone it. Or is that just overkill really for fog and just use DD like I have been?

coffee

 

[SilverLeaf]

Hey Silverleaf,

Would fog make any sense to use on a system to clone drives inserted into the hotswap trays? For example, Pull a windows drive and insert it into one HS tray and then a bare drive in the other and have fog clone it. Or is that just overkill really for fog and just use DD like I have been?

coffee

FOG is primarily designed to operate over the network using PXE for deployment and image backup...kind of like an alternative to WDS. I'm not sure that it would work well in the scenario you described.

DD is great, and I use it frequently. But, sometimes you just don't need/want a sector level copy of the entire disk/partition. A file based approach is often quicker if appropriate to the situation. Honestly, for my personal backups, I just use cron to run a couple of bash scripts that rsync to my external USB drive.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

A few different options come to mind, depending on your specific needs:

1. Partclone - Command line tool to back up used blocks. Supports numerous file systems.
2. Partimage - Similar to Partclone, but with a semi-graphical (ncurses) interface.
3. FSArchiver - Command line, file-system backup with lots of helpful features.

Partimage looks ideal, I'll have a play. Thanks

 

[lcoughey]

For a file level backup of the drive, I suggest using good old fashioned rsync:

> rsync -avP <source> <destination>

 

[Steve202]

I'm using Acronis to image a drive. Chuck the CD into the drive, connect a portable HDD and take a back up of the drive. Job done.

 

[16k_zx81]

What I didnt realise until very recently, is that you can run Clonezilla windowed within Linux, just like, for example, Acronis, in Windows. Probably everyone else on the planet knew this already, but on the offchance you werent aware, its a great option for Linux.

AFAIK, Its Clonezilla for good disks, and DDRESCUE for dodgy ones that you plan to do data recovery on.

You can probably tell from this post that Im not much of a penguin.

 

[coffee]

FOG is primarily designed to operate over the network using PXE for deployment and image backup...kind of like an alternative to WDS. I'm not sure that it would work well in the scenario you described.

DD is great, and I use it frequently. But, sometimes you just don't need/want a sector level copy of the entire disk/partition. A file based approach is often quicker if appropriate to the situation. Honestly, for my personal backups, I just use cron to run a couple of bash scripts that rsync to my external USB drive.

Yep. I think I will stick with DD.

I run my rsync cron at 2am. From my 1tb drive to another. However, Im just backing up my home directory as I can reinstall fedora easily.

Have a good one.

coffee

 

[pc-rebuilders]

Try this

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/downloads-image-for-linux.htm
Have the full package and have used it for a few years. Great support n great product!

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I use dd rescue from Parted Magic.