Dan Thurman wrote:
Is there a [Fedora/Linux] clone/partition tool that will clone a hard drive
with features that allows one to specify any partition size to the target new
drive? For example, the original drive may have a partition with a size of
say, 10GB and instead of a direct clone, I'd like to specify a larger target
partition size of say, an increase of 25GB?
As a feature, I'd also like the capability if need be, to be able to change
the source drive's partition sizes and to be able to move partitions around
so as close partition gaps? System Commander was such a tool for windoes but
is there one for Fedora/Linux?
Any suggestions?
Copying the contents of one drive to another is as simple as:
cp -a <source> <target>
Or there is the most correct way:
cd <source>
find . -depth -print | cpio -pdmu <target>
If both file systems are LVM or hardware raid, then that solves the
other part of your question.
But lets look at a specific example since you did not provide one:
Lets assume that /var keeps filling up and its currently on / which is a
fixed partition.
You have hardware based raid from a SAN or new shoebox.
Use whatever tools are appropriate to create <new volume>.
Mount the new raid device on /mnt
mount <new volume> /mnt
Quiesce applications
cd /var
find . -depth -print | cpio -pdmu /mnt
umount /mnt ; mv /var /foo ; mkdir /var ; mount <new volume> /var
revise /etc/fstab to correct the new /var
restart apps or reboot
rm -fr /foo
You need to MOVE /var because there will surely be something running
with a file open in /var
You need to be quick making the changeover to the new /var, thus the
commands all on the same command line.
Don't remove the old /var until you are positive that all apps that use
/var have been restarted. Sometimes a reboot will be necessary. If
unsure, reboot.
Tried and tested many times. :)
Good Luck!
