[geeks] Copy a linux disk

[Jonathan C. Patschke]

On Sat, 20 May 2006, Joshua Boyd wrote:

> If no one can make a dump for linux that can reliably read a RO disk,
> then linux is really, really, really busted.

Not News.

Linus (later in the same post) recommends cpio for backups.

> Currently I've settled on using cpio to copy most stuff, a script to
> copy the essential parts of /dev, and grub-install from a livecd to
> make the flash card bootable.

That's probably the best you'll be able to do with the tools you have
on-hand.  Does Linux not yet have a true (ie: in-kernel) devfs so that
you can dispense with device node management entirely?  Really, outside
of them, you only need to worry with things cpio/tar can easily handle
and the bootloader.

> When things are finalized, I plan to just use dd to copy flash cards
> for additional systems.

That's certainly the sanest option once you get a pristine image.

-- 
Jonathan Patschke   )  "The telephone is an antiquity...it is an
Elgin, TX          (   outmoded device which constantly disrupts
USA                 )  work."        --Ralf Huetter of Kraftwerk