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Cloning a server is the process of copying the system on to another disk
In cloning a server two identical names are basically allowed on the same network like for Windows NT and the newer software titles, two machines with identical security ID’s (SIDs, or Security Identifier) are allowed on the same active directory domain contrary to the usual system flow. Although some operating systems are not compatible to changes to allow the cloning of its server like for Windows XP for example, may reject the system if it is booted on a machine with a different graphics card, network card, and motherboard specifically if non generic drivers are used. However Microsoft has offered a solution for this difficulty in cloning server with the use of a utility which runs hardware detection scans and mainly sets the SID and computer name freshly when the machine boots, this utility is called the sysrep. But we need to be sure that the Sysrep would be set up on all machines before cloning because configuring them with the use of third party programs will cause a problem when taking an image of a server. The same with Linux systems it requires the necessary kernel modules to be accessible or compiled directly into the kernel to support the cloning server when the machine boots. But Windows has a more convenient way of cloning a server that is with the use of the Universal Imaging Utility which incorporates a large number of hardware device disks or drivers into the sysrep routine.
Duplicate server program needs to overwrite any operating system that are already present on the destination system and must be able to read even protected operating system files on the main system disk to guarantee that the system is in a consistent state at the time of reading to avoid system crash. Programs for duplicate a server can run under an operating system which is different from the original operating system of the host computer allowing it to load when the system is booted.
Many programs are used in cloning a server or make a clone from within Widows, with special provision in copying open files. Programs that are used which are running under non-Windows operating systems must have device drivers which would make all the devices that are used equivalent to the original system. Since some manufacturers of programs do not provide suitable drivers, manufacturers of programs for cloning server include device access functionality in some other way or through writing their own drivers.
The simplest process of tasking a data image of a server is to use multicast technology which allows a single image to be sent simultaneously to the cloning server without putting greater stress on the system than sending an image to a single server.
Nowadays, cloning a server for the purpose of system and data backup is becoming easier and common since there are many cloning server software available in the market. For those who find it expensive to buy this type of server software, freeware is available and downloadable online. Here are some of the cloning server software:
CloneZilla
CloneZilla is software that uses a very simple interface which supports multiple file system. CloneZilla has two types, the Clonzilla live which is used to backup, restore or clone a single computer and the CloneZilla Server Edition which is used to clone multiple computers at the same time. This software is completely free.
XXCLONE
XXCLONE is a free disk cloning software. If you are using a server with Windows as your operating system, XXCLONE is the best. It can clone the whole system including all files and folders to a bootable copy. This cloning software uses a very simple tool suitable for novice users.
Although the need to have a cloned server requires a bit o hard work and expense it is equally important as it helps in ensuring that all the important work files and data we saved are duplicated and transferred safely to a new mother system in case computer crash is unavoidable. It is also wise to choose the best program for cloning a server to make sure that all programs are safely cloned for smooth system running.
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