How can i create a backup for Fedora 13?

Question

i have a box running Fedora 13 and would like to make an identical  backup box.
 I have tried cloning (worked with Windows) the hard disk using Norton Ghost/ CloneZilla but I'm told i have to run fsck and edit GRUB to make the clone bootable but i don't know where to start with that, I'm not strong in that area of Linux.

I kindly need any help with  making this cloned hard disk bootable or any other technique i can use to solve my problem .

Answer 1

It might harsh but why do you need a second bootable disk to backup your stuff? Im still learning Linux but when l was at that stage where l needed a bootable disk ready just in case l do something and screw the first disk, l installed a second copy on another disk ready.

Comments

this particular one is a server, with many complex settings and user accounts, reproducing it will be a nightmare with the level of knowledge i have in that area. thats y i need an easy way to duplicate the system

Answer 2

Ever head of Clonezilla ? Well Clonezilla is a partition and disk imaging/cloning program similar to True Image® or Norton Ghost®

Well i think you must use it, for your need try and get the live cd on the link below.

http://clonezilla.org/clonezilla-live.php

Comments

i went on and did research on mirroring and i came up with this http://www.drbd.org/ anyone ever used it or something similar??

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drbd is for High Availability clusters and so on. What McDonald was saying is that you must migrate your services and settings from faulty HDD  to the new HDD. The mirroring that is done by drbd is high end but imho this could stretch you a little bit further. I used this a while ago before VMware had become a complete solution for HA clusters etc. You can use it as a pulse to create Beowulf clusters etc.

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ok, i have understood the "migrating services" part. I just got a revelation to use DRDB to prevent this predicament from happening again. Is it a wise move or there are better options??

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Noble idea indeed. Go for it mate. Remember to always document your work. I use trac

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thanks man, will post back how it goes!