I’ve spent considerable time configuring my Linux system (1) and I would like to have the exact same system on another PC (2).
What would be the best way to do that?
Hardware on (2) is different, but tested compatible with the kernel.
(2) has a smaller drive size, so simply dd’ing the entire drive from a live USB won’t work.

Here’s what I’m planning:

  • install same distro on (2), using the same username as on (1)
  • create a list of installed packages on (1)
  • install same packages on (2) using the package manager
  • copy /home and /etc from (1) to an external EXT4 drive
  • boot (2) from a live USB and mount the external drive
  • delete /home and /etc on (2), then copy them over from (1)

Will this cause permission issues? Is there a quicker way?

  • a14o@feddit.orgEnglish
    2·
    12 days ago

    What you’re planning seems plausible.

    You could also resize the partition on (1) to fit on (2), then dd if=(1) of=(2)

    If you’re interested in structural changes that make this sort of thing easier in the future, look into

    • ZFS or Btrfs for flexible handling of subvolumes
    • NixOS or GUIX for applying system configuration across machines