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?

      • nesc@lemmy.cafeEnglish
        1·
        3 days ago

        Yes, it’s magic, I know. Smaller one needs to be large enough to fit data and partitions mustn’t be bigger then target and there might be some issues with gpt. Anyway it works fine with a similar sized or larger target without any additional configuration.