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#1 2024-02-15 13:07:43

mrconfused
Member
Registered: 2023-06-17
Posts: 38

Best practice for migrating and backing up removeable arch install

I have been using an arch install on a USB stick as my everyday OS, but I have been informed this is bad practice and that it will quickly wear out the USB.

I want a removeable media install however, so I have just bought an external SSD on which I plan to put a fresh arch install, and then I want to migrate all my personal files from the USB install to the SSD.

Whats the best way to do this? I'm guessing just copying the home directory over to the fresh SSD install is a bad idea?

I have been backing up my USB install to another USB using this rsync command because it is nice and simple:

sudo rsync -aAXv / --exclude={"/dev/*","/proc/*","/sys/*","/tmp/*","/run/*","/mnt/*","/media/*","/lost+found"} /mnt

Is this use of rsync appropriate for backing up an SSD install to a USB? (obviously the USB must have enough space)? Would some other kind of backup software be better? Or would it be a better idea to just backup personal files instead of the whole install itself?

Would appreciate some advice, thanks.

EDIT: First reply had all the resources I needed

Last edited by mrconfused (2024-02-18 10:08:10)

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#2 2024-02-15 18:50:17

jonno2002
Member
Registered: 2016-11-21
Posts: 868

Re: Best practice for migrating and backing up removeable arch install

if the new drive is the same size or larger than the source i usually just use dd to clone the drive, and if needed, grow the partition afterwards if the new disk is larger, then just change the hostname and you have a new system in no time at all, and if you dont want to retain the user just create a new one and delete the old.

another method i use if i want to be selective of what gets copied is the top to bottom method

both methods are far quicker, easier, and not to mention better for the arch servers out there than re-installing and copying /home over, your basically just wasting bandwidth for no reason downloading the same packages you already have

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#3 2024-02-18 10:07:21

mrconfused
Member
Registered: 2023-06-17
Posts: 38

Re: Best practice for migrating and backing up removeable arch install

Thanks for the advice, it was very helpful.

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