Re: [tlug] Tip of the Day: "ghosting" a machine with nc and dd

[Sigurd Urdahl <sigurdur@example.com>]

Josh Glover wrote:
> On 17/07/07, Godwin Stewart <gstewart@example.com> wrote:
>
> > scp dereferences the symlinks, thus negating their usefulness, but tar
> > preserves them. I frequently use something like this:
> >
> > $ tar cjf - directory | ssh user@example.com "tar xjf -"
>
> rsync can also do this:

The problem with rsync is the memory usage if transferring a lot of 
files. Rsync is quite unusable if you want to mirror a big server. 
(http://samba.anu.edu.au/rsync/FAQ.html#4)

Two bonuses with using tar instead of dd is that 1) you will get 
unfragmented partitions afterwards (not a big issue, but can be quite 
significant) and 2) if your partitions are not quite well filled you 
will move less data (albeight you have slower disk access).

kind regards,
-sig

--
Sigurd Urdahl
Linux, goofing, cooking, making fire, computer security, having a
beer. Give me good music.