restore a hard disk from an image possibly automatically
 

hi

I'd like to create a boot floppy or CD to restore an image from a harddisk over the network, and it should work possibly automatically.
A normal, non-IT user should be able to do it in our branch abroad.

I use g4u. If you look at it you'll find that it has a choice of ways. One is to use dd over ftp (with compression).

One can study it. The problem is you may have to pay the create of it since it is only for personal use I believe. He used a freebsd since kernels have become way too big for a single floppy.

If you were to create a single computer use floppy it might fit on a single floppy.


Otherwise, I'd consider a gpxe/ipxe to a iscsi target maybe or any http or ftp site.

There are other network type installs too that are automated. Kickstarts and other nfs mounted ways to automate an install.

Hopefully others will have some more ideas.