I have 15 labs and I have a 110 gb image. I only deploy 3 machines or 6 machines at time. I am wondering if clonezilla has a task queue for example I set to deploy 3 machines after it is done then the next 3 machines will continue..etc
Since you mentioned you only have one image, and you would like to use BT mode in Clonezilla lite server. In that case, you do not have to use script to do that. Actually you can control that in your clients side. Here you are:
Follow this to start the lite server in BT mode: https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server
When your server is in the step: https://clonezilla.org//clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server/images/ocs-10-10-waiting-for-multicast-client.png
Do not press "y" to stop the server's BT seeding mode.
Now you can boot 3 machines via PXE booting, and wait for the 3 machines to be finished.
Keep the server's BT seeding mode there, i.e., do not press "y" and stop it. Let it keep running in your server.
Now you can boot 3 machines via PXE booting, and wait for the 3 machines to be finished.
That's all. Do not care about the number of your clients. Just boot it and let it enter deployment (restoring) mode.
Steven
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It's quite similar to the green command shown for BT mode.
Just try to follow what I mentioned: https://sourceforge.net/p/clonezilla/support-requests/181/#ae14
and use multicast mode to do that. You will get a green command which is the one you can use in your script to schedule your jobs.
Steven
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Steven
For step Enter the number of clients. We here assume we will have 10 machines to deploy
in my case I have 25 machines in the lab,
I will put 25 of clients then I will boot 3 machines and wait them to be finished then boot another 3 machines via PXE booting ? or I just boot 3 3 machines via PXE booting, while they are restoring, I continue boot all machines via PXE.
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If you are talking BT mode, well, once the Clonezilla lite server is ready in BT mode, just boot your clients via PXE. No matter how many clients you boot, they will be restored.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
As I mentioned, ATM there is no any schedule function for Clonezilla server or lite server. If you really want to use the fixed number of clients, just stick to unicast, broadcast or multicast. However, for the server side, you have to have your own script to start that.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Basically yes, you can use the green command to start the multicast service on the server. Once it's done, you can boot the clients to start deployment.
However, to automatically schedule that on the server, you need to run "at" command or "crontab". You can google to find that.
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I followed all your suggestion and I still can't get work after three machine was restoring and on lite server shows me No MTA is running. Then I have to click Y twice and type /tmp/ocs-live-feed-img-2025-07-08-15-19. then whatever machines were in PXE would continue to restore it. what should I do to let it keep 3 machines restoring after others finished
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" still can't get work after three machine was restoring and on lite server shows me No MTA is running. Then I have to click Y twice and type /tmp/ocs-live-feed-img-2025-07-08-15-19. " ->
Please take some photos about the messages on the screen then post them.
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Hi Steven,
Thanks for helping me with steps. Can I use your guide lite server BT from dev (Run a Clonezilla lite server to do massive deployment from raw device via bittorrent mechanism).
Thanks
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ATM, there is no such feature for you to schedule that. However, it can be done via a script.
Which mode do you need? Unicast? Multicast? BT?
Steven
BT is faster
Last edit: Steven Shiau 2025-01-07
Can you please show me the script for BT ?Thanks
On Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 08:52:22 PM EST, ٩(-̮̮̃ -̃)۶ ٩(-̮̮̃ -̃)۶ citytech73@yahoo.com wrote:
Steven,BT is faster
Last edit: Steven Shiau 2025-01-15
Since you mentioned you only have one image, and you would like to use BT mode in Clonezilla lite server. In that case, you do not have to use script to do that. Actually you can control that in your clients side. Here you are:
Follow this to start the lite server in BT mode:
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server
When your server is in the step:
https://clonezilla.org//clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server/images/ocs-10-10-waiting-for-multicast-client.png
Do not press "y" to stop the server's BT seeding mode.
Now you can boot 3 machines via PXE booting, and wait for the 3 machines to be finished.
Keep the server's BT seeding mode there, i.e., do not press "y" and stop it. Let it keep running in your server.
Now you can boot 3 machines via PXE booting, and wait for the 3 machines to be finished.
That's all. Do not care about the number of your clients. Just boot it and let it enter deployment (restoring) mode.
Steven
Hi Steven,
I would like to try using Multicast ? what script do I need to use ? thanks in advance
It's quite similar to the green command shown for BT mode.
Just try to follow what I mentioned:
https://sourceforge.net/p/clonezilla/support-requests/181/#ae14
and use multicast mode to do that. You will get a green command which is the one you can use in your script to schedule your jobs.
Steven
Steven,
Today I had a chance to test it. After three machines are finished. Next three machines don't continue the schedule. What do I miss ?
No idea. The info you provided is so little so I could not judge anything.
Steven
For step Enter the number of clients. We here assume we will have 10 machines to deploy
in my case I have 25 machines in the lab,
I will put 25 of clients then I will boot 3 machines and wait them to be finished then boot another 3 machines via PXE booting ? or I just boot 3 3 machines via PXE booting, while they are restoring, I continue boot all machines via PXE.
If you are talking BT mode, well, once the Clonezilla lite server is ready in BT mode, just boot your clients via PXE. No matter how many clients you boot, they will be restored.
Steven,
I know it but I want to schedule the next machines after other machines are done. ? which method do I need to do ?
As I mentioned, ATM there is no any schedule function for Clonezilla server or lite server. If you really want to use the fixed number of clients, just stick to unicast, broadcast or multicast. However, for the server side, you have to have your own script to start that.
Steven,
Do you mean when I use multicast and a green command script will schedule the job ?
Basically yes, you can use the green command to start the multicast service on the server. Once it's done, you can boot the clients to start deployment.
However, to automatically schedule that on the server, you need to run "at" command or "crontab". You can google to find that.
I followed all your suggestion and I still can't get work after three machine was restoring and on lite server shows me No MTA is running. Then I have to click Y twice and type /tmp/ocs-live-feed-img-2025-07-08-15-19. then whatever machines were in PXE would continue to restore it. what should I do to let it keep 3 machines restoring after others finished
" still can't get work after three machine was restoring and on lite server shows me No MTA is running. Then I have to click Y twice and type /tmp/ocs-live-feed-img-2025-07-08-15-19. " ->
Please take some photos about the messages on the screen then post them.
Steven,
I am searching online but I don't see any information using clonezilla for schedule a restore.
Hi Steven,
Thanks for helping me with steps. Can I use your guide lite server BT from dev (Run a Clonezilla lite server to do massive deployment from raw device via bittorrent mechanism).
Thanks
As I have mentioned:
Follow this to start the lite server in BT mode:
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server
When your server is in the step:
https://clonezilla.org//clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server/images/ocs-10-10-waiting-for-multicast-client.png
Do not press "y" to stop the server's BT seeding mode.
Steven
Thanks Steven