Hi!
I have installed a debian linux on vmware workstation 9 by using debian netinst with custom/selected drivers, kernel, encrypted partition , packages etc. etc.

Further I want to patch kernel with Pax etc. and tighten security by making necessary changes.

My question is:
Which software (or how ) can I port such installed (final) system to usb (live usb with persistence)??

Will all the changes like encrypted lvm, patched kernel reflect on live usb??
Or i gonna miss something.

For most things, a vm is a real computer. For most newish systems, a usb is like any hard drive. So, it should be possible to use a tool to clone it to a usb. You'd have to change references to any specific either to generic first or change later on usb.

You don't want to attempt a live usb install is my opinion but to do that would require that you convert the install to a live running iso and then use normal tools to make live usb.

Let me put this question in another way:

I indeed want to create LIVE USB of an existing DEBIAN INSTALL.

So, please suggest in detail how to make ISO (or any other BETTER approach for eg. by using any virtual machine file/image)

I will also be updating, changing and maintaining DEBIAN CUSTOM INSTALL (running on virtual machine) and then making new ISO to make CURRENT LIVE USB.
Thanks

To take a vm install to a usb would require many assumptions.

Any time you copy or clone a system you have to understand that various places may refer to devices and names and numbers that may now change. Loaders and usb support may be needed.

So... how would you like to clone the VM? One might use clonezilla for example or other tool like dd or tar or cpio. Let's take clonezilla.


Attach a clonezilla iso to your vm client and boot to it. Attach the target usb using the vm commands. (in some cases you could attach before you boot but not usually needed) Then use clonezilla to copy from the client to the usb.

Assumes usb is equal to or larger than virtual hard drive.







Then let me say what I'd do since I think it is the best and easy way.


Create a VM. Attach your debian source iso be it dvd or cd iso. Don't make a virtual hard drive. Boot to the installer. Attach the usb to the virtual machine using the vm. The vm should now think it has a hard drive to install to. Then install all you can before it reboots or has to reboot. Shut down host and boot to the new usb and customize it.

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