Cloning XServe to Mini Server

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Level 2

317 points

Cloning XServe to Mini Server

I'm trying to replicate the entire setup of an XServe on a Mini Server (the replacement hardware). When setting up the Mini I chose to migrate from the XServe and it is now basically set up and running. I'm sure there will be many gotchas along the way, but the current one is that it appears NO network users got migrated across. This makes me think that OD on the Mini is in a bit of an unknown state so maybe best to reinitialise it, but in any case I need to copy all the OD data from the XServe to the Mini. How can I do that?

Is there a simple way to 'backup' all the OD stuff on one machine and 'restore' it to another? I can use WorkGroup Manager to 'export' Users, Groups, Computers etc as individual tasks, but then there's the rest of the configuration and I've not seen a way to copy that across. What is the best way to clone ALL the OD data to a new server?

MacPro, MacBook Pro, XServe, iPhone 3G, Mac OS X (10.6), 30" HD display,

Posted on Feb 23, 2010 1:13 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 23, 2010 4:24 AM in response to UKenGB

Apple has a solution for that. It is called Open Directory Replica. This sounds like what you want to do. Basically, you have your Xserve already set as the Master. So now, install a unique serial numbered copy of Server on the Mini and then set its role to OD Replica. It will automatically copy all OD attributes, including password, from the Master to itself. This process will ensure that in the event that the primary goes down, you will have a working and up to date copy of all domain information.

Hope this helps

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Answer 2

Feb 23, 2010 5:23 AM in response to Strontium90

Yeah if you're looking for redundancy, a replica is your best bet.

If you just want to keep a copy of your OD Database in a convenient, compact file there is also the built-in archiving in OD's Server Admin section.

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Answer 3

UKenGB Author

Level 2

317 points

Feb 23, 2010 6:09 AM in response to UKenGB

Replica looks interesting, although maybe not entirely appropriate.

The XServe is being retired and replaced by the Mini Server. Both have genuine ligit copies of OSX Snow Leopard Server, but sounds like OD Replica is just a backup for another server. What happens when I take that original Master server down (i.e. as soon as the Mini is fully functional)? Can I simply then tell OD on the Mini it is now the Master and have it retain all the data it 'replicated' from the Master?

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Answer 4

Feb 23, 2010 7:02 AM in response to UKenGB

Oh if thats what you're trying to do, you can probably just put the mini in firewire mode, then clone the Xserve hd onto it using carbon copy cloner or disk utility.

Then you'll have the same copy available on both. Just turn one off, and the other one on and you should be all set.

If you want to be cautious, make a 2nd partition and clone onto that, then you can dual boot.

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Answer 5

Feb 23, 2010 2:28 PM in response to UKenGB

Yes that is how a replica works. If the other server goes down or is off the network, just promote the replica to a master, via the change role button. You could also just do a archive on the Xserve and then do a restore of that image to the mini via a replace or merge.

Vince

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Answer 6

UKenGB Author

Level 2

317 points

Feb 24, 2010 2:29 AM in response to UKenGB

I've seen other posts reporting problems with OD after cloning a disk from one Mini to another (slightly different), so there are obviously hardware variations between Macs that can make cloning a bootable drive less than 100%.

I have been reading up about OD Masters and Replicas (hey it's a long time since I originally set it up:-) and since I can promote a Replica to a Master, that will be the route to take. I'll demote the new Mini to Standalone first to re-initialise it, then promote as a Replica than to full Master and turn off the XServe.

Thanks.

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