Cloning School Computers with Free Disk Imaging Software
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Step 3. Clone the master computer to an image file
Overview of Step 3:
In this step, you will create a disk image of your master computer and save it on the Clonezila Server.
1. Start Conezilla Server
Open the terminal on Ubuntu. Applications > Accessories > Terminal.
Type: sudo /opt/drbl/sbin/dcs
Follow the prompts and enter as illustrated:
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2. Start the server in Clonezilla mode.
3. Run the wizard in Beginner mode: Accept the default options.
4. Select to save-disk which clones the computer disk and saves it as an image file.
5. Select the option to input the image and device name later.
6. You can choose to reboot or poweroff the computer after it is cloned.
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8. Use the enter button to finish.Clonezilla has loaded all of your settings. Leave this terminal open.
Now it is time to set up the Master Computer to PXE boot and clone it's disk to a file on the server.
2. Start the Master Computer
In order to clone the Master Computer, it must be set to boot from the network card. Booting from the network is known as PXE booting. PXE is short for Preboot eXecution Environment. It allows the computers to boot up via their network interface instead of the CD rom or hard drive.
To configure your client PC to boot from the network card, access the computer’s BIOS. The BIOS is accessed by entering a key during power up. The keys vary by computer model and brands, but F1, F2, F12, DEL, and ESC are common. You may have to google your computer model to get the proper key.
In the BIOS control panel, locate the menu for changing the startup sequence. Set the first boot device to the network card. In the screen pic below, it is a PXE menu item, on some motherboards the choice may be ‘LAN’ or something similar.
After setting the computer to PXE boot in the BIOS, save the changes and exit the BIOS. Allow the computer to restart. It will start using the network card, contact the Clonezilla server to get an IP address and load the Clonezilla boot program into memory.
3. Clone the Master Computer
1. After loading the boot program, the Master Computer prompts you to input a name for the saved image.
2. Use the space bar to put an asterisk next to the disk you want to clone.
3. After entering <OK>, sit back and let Clonezilla work. Here, a 10.7 GB disk finishes imaging after about 14 minutes. You can shutdown the Master Computer after it is finished. Exit the terminal.
4. Check the Clonezilla server for the completed image files. File System > home > partimag
5. Shutdown the Master Computer.
Next >> Step 4. Create clones from the Master Computer image file
