<SOLVED> ZImbra clone

[sr57]

I'm looking for a way to "clone" my zimbra server (on another domain) in order to test upgrade since my main server is still running.

See my previous post "viewtopic.php?f=13&t=71396' I did not succeed to upgrade from Ubuntu 14.

[Clan51]

Same with me. I've cloned my production server and upgraded the cloned one. I had succeed to upgrade from zcs 8.8.10 to 8.8.15.

The problem now, I have no clue to migrate all stuffs from production server (zcs 8.8.10) to the upgraded one (zcs 8.8.15). Anyone could enlight us? Thanks in advance.

[sr57]

Hi Clan51,

How do you clone your server? Did you get the 2 servers running at the same time?

Your case is not exactly the same as me, in your case, I should transfer the data (clone) before the upgrade.

[BradC]

Same with me. I've cloned my production server and upgraded the cloned one. I had succeed to upgrade from zcs 8.8.10 to 8.8.15.

The problem now, I have no clue to migrate all stuffs from production server (zcs 8.8.10) to the upgraded one (zcs 8.8.15). Anyone could enlight us? Thanks in advance.

I use the clone for a test. So clone the prod, do the upgrades on the test and refine the process until it's smooth and scripted (type ./go and let it do its thing). Then clone/backup prod and upgrade it directly. While that is in process, clients are denied access and inbound mail is blocked so nothing is lost. If the upgrade fails (and I did have it fail once) I restore the prod from backup and repeat the process at another time.

[sr57]

...So clone the prod, do the upgrades on the test ....

How do you clone it? Do you have the prod server running when you upgrade the test?

[BradC]

...So clone the prod, do the upgrades on the test ....

How do you clone it? Do you have the prod server running when you upgrade the test?

Yes I do. I have the system set up so the clone comes up with a different MAC & IP address. I have a script in /etc/rc.local that changes the hostname and backup/hsm mounts in fstab and also prevents zimbra autostarting.

So I clone the zimbra VM while its still running, then boot the clone and do all the testing on that. I do it so frequently it's all neatly scripted up. Before I do any work on prod, I isolate it from the world, bring it down and clone it to backup, then restart and do the upgrade.

I'm not fussed if the test has a consistency issue with cloning a running VM because I can always do it again. I've never had an issue however.

I probably tested the 8.8.12 to 8.8.15 migration 30 times across months (working on it when I had time) until I found a methodology that I liked and scripted it tightly so I didn't have to rely on "not making a mistake".

[sr57]

Yes I do. I have the system set up ... so I didn't have to rely on "not making a mistake".

Thanks you very much.

I'll try a new time to solve my upgrade problem directly and work on your solution next if needed.

The only concern I have is the time and space disk to clone, have you any idea to make a "clone light" , same exe and a sample of the mails?

[BradC]

The only concern I have is the time and space disk to clone, have you any idea to make a "clone light" , same exe and a sample of the mails?

Nope. Rather than sort that out I just bought more storage. At current rates my time is worth ~4TB/hour. Cheaper to buy more storage than work out how to make it smaller.