Copying system/ports configuration?

[Greg Larkin]

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Dr. Jennifer Nussbaum wrote:
> I have a FreeBSD 7.0 system that im using in production. I want to create a FreeBSD virtual machine, to use as a testbed for this production box.
> 
> The last time i did this it took a lot of time to get the VM set up--installing all the right ports, getting the database configuration right, etc.
> 
> Are there any shortcuts for this, e.g. a way i can automatically install the same ports on the new "machine"? I didnt see anything in the handbook or FAQ about this, but id think that people need to do this all the time. Any other advice for mirroring the system?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Jen
> 

Hi Jen,

I am assuming that you are using VMware, but if that's not the case,
please respond to the thread.

VMware Converter (http://www.vmware.com/products/converter/) is
typically used to convert a physical machine to a VM, but I'm not sure
that it will work with FreeBSD.

If it doesn't, then I think you need to use a tool like Norton Ghost,
Acronis TrueImage or Partimage (http://www.partimage.org/Main_Page) to
create a disk image of your production machine.

Once you do that, create your VM, boot with the rescue image of the tool
that you chose and use it to restore the production machine disk image
into your VM.  Reboot and you should have a VM that only requires some
minimal reconfiguration.

Hope that helps,
Greg Larkin

http://www.FreeBSD.org/
http://www.sourcehosting.net/
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