Cloning Leopard Server with NetRestore to create a twin server – advisable?

[carlocarlo]

Hello and Merry Christmas to all the readers!
In the next few days I would like to add and install a new Intel xServe (current model) so that my other server (same hardware and configuration) can be used as source to create a clone with Bombich’s NetRestore Helper (always worked perfectly for clients here).
Both server will simply be bound to an Active Directory domain (no OD here) and they will mainly offer AFP/windows file sharing, plus a couple of other services (Retrospect and Extensis Universal Type Server).
Other than changing the obvious settings (network configuration, IP, hostname, unbinding/rebinding…) is there any other suggestion I should be aware of?
Should I install the server from scratch, instead?
Many thanks for your attention!
Greetings,
Carlo

[macinandy]

Hi Carlo, I realise this may be a bit late for you but this probably isn’t the way i’d go about things. I’d be looking at using the server setup app in the server folder and setting up a config record for the new server,saving it to a pen drive and then installing the new server from scratch.
The server will look for this folder at first boot once the install has finished as per [url]http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=ServerAdmin/10.5/en/c6sa13.html[/url]
Setting up from scratch will give you less grief in the long run.
Cheers

[carlocarlo]

Hi macinandy and thanks for you kind reply.
I will surely remember of your hint for future servers… …I had to finish installing that second server before the holidays end, so I went ahead.
I was not quite sure – and you confirmed my doubts – but the clone (with the obvious modified settings) is working perfectly so far… fingers crossed!
Happy 2009!
Ciao
Carlo

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