Difference between revisions of "Moving an existing install into (or out of) a virtual machine"
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{{Article summary wiki|VMware}} | {{Article summary wiki|VMware}} | ||
{{Article summary wiki|QEMU}} | {{Article summary wiki|QEMU}} | ||
| + | {{Article summary wiki|Migrate installation to new hardware}} | ||
{{Article summary end}} | {{Article summary end}} | ||
| − | This article describes how to transfer your current Arch Linux installation in or out of a virtual environment (i.e. QEMU, VirtualBox, VMware), and is heavily based on the [[Full System Backup with rsync]] article. A virtual machine ("VM", for short) uses different hardware, which needs to be addressed by re-generating the initramfs image. While any Linux [[File_Systems|filesystem]] should work, it's recommended that you go with [[ext4]], at least at first, until you get the hang of it. | + | This article describes how to transfer your current Arch Linux installation in or out of a virtual environment (i.e. QEMU, VirtualBox, VMware), and is heavily based on the [[Full System Backup with rsync]] article. A virtual machine ("VM", for short) uses different hardware, which needs to be addressed by re-generating the initramfs image and possibly adjusting the fstab – especially if it's an [[SSD]]. |
| + | |||
| + | While any Linux [[File_Systems|filesystem]] should work, it's recommended that you go with [[ext4]], at least at first, until you get the hang of it. | ||
== Moving out of a VM == | == Moving out of a VM == | ||
| Line 17: | Line 20: | ||
=== Set up a shared folder === | === Set up a shared folder === | ||
| − | + | This part is specific to each program, so please visit their wiki page. | |
| − | If you don't already have | + | If you don't already have an ext4 partition, see [[Beginners'_Guide#Prepare_the_storage_drive|Prepare the storage drive]] from the Beginners' Guide. |
| − | If you're on Windows, install [http://www.ext2fsd.com/ Ext2Fsd] to be able to | + | If you're on Windows, install [http://www.ext2fsd.com/ Ext2Fsd] to be able to mount it. |
=== Transfer the system === | === Transfer the system === | ||
| Line 36: | Line 39: | ||
# arch-chroot /mnt | # arch-chroot /mnt | ||
| − | Reinstall Syslinux or GRUB, using the [[Beginners'_Guide#Install_and_configure_a_bootloader|instructions]] from the Beginners' Guide. | + | Reinstall either Syslinux or GRUB, using the [[Beginners'_Guide#Install_and_configure_a_bootloader|instructions]] from the Beginners' Guide. Don't forget to update the configuration file (i.e. {{ic|syslinux.cfg}} or {{ic|grub.cfg}}). |
=== Adjust the fstab === | === Adjust the fstab === | ||
| − | Since your entire root tree has been transferred to a single partition, edit the [[fstab]] file to reflect the right partition | + | Since your entire root tree has been transferred to a single partition, edit the [[fstab]] file to reflect the right partition(s): |
| + | |||
| + | # nano /etc/fstab | ||
| + | |||
| + | Check with the {{ic|blkid}} command, since {{ic|lsblk}} is not very useful inside a chroot. | ||
=== Re-generate the initramfs image === | === Re-generate the initramfs image === | ||
| Line 47: | Line 54: | ||
# mkinitcpio -p linux | # mkinitcpio -p linux | ||
| + | |||
| + | And that's about it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | You'll most likely need to set up the network, since the virtual machine was probably piggybacking on the host OS's network settings. See [[Beginners'_Guide#Configure_the_network|Configure the network]] from the Beginners' Guide. | ||
== Moving into a VM == | == Moving into a VM == | ||
| Line 71: | Line 82: | ||
{{Tip|If you want, you can add however many partitions you want: home, boot, var, tmp, whatever floats your boat. Of course, it will add a layer of complexity, but it's doable. The point is that you don't necessarily need another container.}} | {{Tip|If you want, you can add however many partitions you want: home, boot, var, tmp, whatever floats your boat. Of course, it will add a layer of complexity, but it's doable. The point is that you don't necessarily need another container.}} | ||
| + | {{Note|If you use the command-line parted instead of gparted, don't forget to leave 1 or 2 megabytes of unpartitioned space at the start of the disk for GRUB's embedded partition.}} | ||
=== Transfer the system === | === Transfer the system === | ||
| Line 81: | Line 93: | ||
# mount /dev/loop5p1 /mnt/Virtual | # mount /dev/loop5p1 /mnt/Virtual | ||
# rsync -aAXv /* /mnt/Virtual --exclude={/dev/*,/proc/*,/sys/*,/tmp/*,/run/*,/mnt/*,/media/*,/lost+found,/home/*/.gvfs} | # rsync -aAXv /* /mnt/Virtual --exclude={/dev/*,/proc/*,/sys/*,/tmp/*,/run/*,/mnt/*,/media/*,/lost+found,/home/*/.gvfs} | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
=== Convert the container to a compatible format === | === Convert the container to a compatible format === | ||
| Line 97: | Line 107: | ||
Hook up the converted file from above, and the latest Arch Linux ISO into the virtual CD-ROM. Then start the virtual machine and [[chroot]] into it: | Hook up the converted file from above, and the latest Arch Linux ISO into the virtual CD-ROM. Then start the virtual machine and [[chroot]] into it: | ||
| − | # mount /dev/sda1 | + | # mount /dev/sda1 /mnt |
# arch-chroot /mnt | # arch-chroot /mnt | ||
| − | Reinstall Syslinux or GRUB, using the [[Beginners'_Guide#Install_and_configure_a_bootloader|instructions]] from the Beginners' Guide. | + | Reinstall either Syslinux or GRUB, using the [[Beginners'_Guide#Install_and_configure_a_bootloader|instructions]] from the Beginners' Guide. Don't forget to update its configuration file: |
| + | |||
| + | * For Syslinux, it should be {{ic|1=APPEND root=/dev/sda1 ro}} in {{ic|syslinux.cfg}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * For GRUB, it's recommended that you automatically re-generate a {{ic|grub.cfg}}. | ||
=== Adjust the fstab === | === Adjust the fstab === | ||
| − | Since your entire root tree has been transferred to a single partition, edit the [[fstab]] file to | + | Since your entire root tree has been transferred to a single partition, edit the [[fstab]] file. You may use the UUID or label if you want, but those are more useful in multi-drive, multi-partition configurations (to avoid confusions). For now, {{ic|/dev/sda1}} for your entire system is just fine. |
{{hc|# nano /etc/fstab| | {{hc|# nano /etc/fstab| | ||
| − | tmpfs | + | tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nodev,nosuid 0 0 |
| − | /dev/sda1 | + | /dev/sda1 / ext4 defaults,noatime 0 1}} |
=== Disable any Xorg-related files === | === Disable any Xorg-related files === | ||
| − | Having an {{ic|nvidia}} | + | Having an {{ic|nvidia}}, {{ic|nouveau}}, {{ic|radeon}}, {{ic|intel}}, etc., entry in the {{ic|Device}} section from one of the Xorg configuration files will prevent it from starting, since you will be using ''emulated'' hardware (including the video card). So it's recommended that you move/rename or delete the following: |
# mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak | # mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak | ||
| Line 119: | Line 133: | ||
=== Re-generate the initramfs image === | === Re-generate the initramfs image === | ||
| − | Because the hardware has changed, while you're still in the chroot, re-generate the initramfs image: | + | Because the hardware has changed, while you're still in the chroot, re-generate the initramfs image and do a proper shutdown: |
# mkinitcpio -p linux | # mkinitcpio -p linux | ||
| + | # poweroff | ||
| + | |||
| + | Finally, pull out the LiveCD (the ISO file) and start the virtual machine. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Note|At this point you may notice that you no longer have a wallpaper. Don't worry about it. It's most likely because it is located on a different partition mounted in {{ic|/media}} or {{ic|/mnt}}, folders which were excluded from the transfer.}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Enjoy your new virtual environment. | ||
== Troubleshoot == | == Troubleshoot == | ||
| Line 127: | Line 148: | ||
=== "mount: special device /dev/loop5p1 does not exist" === | === "mount: special device /dev/loop5p1 does not exist" === | ||
| − | + | First, check the loopback device with {{ic|fdisk}} for the starting block: | |
{{hc|# fdisk -l /dev/loop5|2= | {{hc|# fdisk -l /dev/loop5|2= | ||
| Line 140: | Line 161: | ||
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System | Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System | ||
/dev/loop5p1 * 2048 20963327 10480640 83 Linux}} | /dev/loop5p1 * 2048 20963327 10480640 83 Linux}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Then use it as an offset when mounting it: | ||
# mount -o offset=$(('''2048''' * 512)) /dev/loop5 /mnt/Virtual/ | # mount -o offset=$(('''2048''' * 512)) /dev/loop5 /mnt/Virtual/ | ||
| − | === " | + | === "Waiting 10 seconds for device /dev/sda1; ERROR: Unable to find root device '/dev/sda1'" === |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Waiting 10 seconds for device /dev/sda1 ... | |
| − | + | ERROR: Unable to find root device '/dev/sda1'. | |
| − | Waiting 10 seconds for device | ||
| − | ERROR: Unable to find root device ' | ||
You are being dropped to a recovery shell | You are being dropped to a recovery shell | ||
Type 'exit' to try and continue booting | Type 'exit' to try and continue booting | ||
| Line 156: | Line 175: | ||
[rootfs /]# _ | [rootfs /]# _ | ||
| − | + | It most likely means that you didn't run {{ic|poweroff}} like ''you were instructed to'', and closed the VM with the "close" button, which is the equivalent of a power outage. Now you need to regenerate your initramfs image. To do that, you can start the VM using the Fallback entry. If you don't have a Fallback entry, press {{ic|Tab}} (for Syslinux) or {{ic|e}} (for GRUB) and rename it {{ic|initramfs-linux-fallback.img}}. After it boots, open up a terminal and run: | |
# mkinitcpio -p linux | # mkinitcpio -p linux | ||
| + | # poweroff | ||
| + | |||
| + | === "Missing operating system. FATAL: INT18: BOOT FAILURE" === | ||
| + | |||
| + | You will need to install (reinstall) a bootloader. See the [[Beginners'_Guide#Install_and_configure_a_bootloader|instructions]] from the Beginners' Guide. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also, check the boot order from the BIOS or from the VM's settings and make sure that the drive containing the bootloader is the first to boot. | ||
=== I'm asked for the root password, for maintenance === | === I'm asked for the root password, for maintenance === | ||
| − | :: Checking Filesystems | + | :: Checking Filesystems [BUSY] |
fsck.ext4: Unable to resolve '...' | fsck.ext4: Unable to resolve '...' | ||
| − | This means that you forgot to add the drive's UUID, label or device name in {{ic|/etc/fstab}}. The UUID is different every time you format it (or in this case, create one from scratch), and they likely do not match. Check with {{ic| | + | This means that you forgot to add the drive's UUID, label or device name in {{ic|/etc/fstab}}. The UUID is different every time you format it (or in this case, create one from scratch), and they likely do not match. Check with {{ic|blkid}}. |
Revision as of 11:15, 1 September 2013
Template:Article summary start Template:Article summary text Template:Article summary heading Template:Article summary wiki Template:Article summary wiki Template:Article summary wiki Template:Article summary wiki Template:Article summary end
This article describes how to transfer your current Arch Linux installation in or out of a virtual environment (i.e. QEMU, VirtualBox, VMware), and is heavily based on the Full System Backup with rsync article. A virtual machine ("VM", for short) uses different hardware, which needs to be addressed by re-generating the initramfs image and possibly adjusting the fstab – especially if it's an SSD.
While any Linux filesystem should work, it's recommended that you go with ext4, at least at first, until you get the hang of it.
Moving out of a VM
Moving out of a virtual environment is relatively easy.
This part is specific to each program, so please visit their wiki page.
If you don't already have an ext4 partition, see Prepare the storage drive from the Beginners' Guide.
If you're on Windows, install Ext2Fsd to be able to mount it.
Transfer the system
From the virtual machine, open a terminal and transfer the system:
# rsync -aAXv /* /path/to/shared/folder --exclude={/dev/*,/proc/*,/sys/*,/tmp/*,/run/*,/mnt/*,/media/*,/lost+found,/home/*/.gvfs}
Chroot and reinstall the bootloader
Boot a "live" Linux distribution, mount the root partition and chroot into it:
# mount /dev/sdb2 /mnt # arch-chroot /mnt
Reinstall either Syslinux or GRUB, using the instructions from the Beginners' Guide. Don't forget to update the configuration file (i.e. syslinux.cfg or grub.cfg).
Adjust the fstab
Since your entire root tree has been transferred to a single partition, edit the fstab file to reflect the right partition(s):
# nano /etc/fstab
Check with the blkid command, since lsblk is not very useful inside a chroot.
Re-generate the initramfs image
Because the hardware has changed, while you're still in the chroot, re-generate the initramfs image:
# mkinitcpio -p linux
And that's about it.
You'll most likely need to set up the network, since the virtual machine was probably piggybacking on the host OS's network settings. See Configure the network from the Beginners' Guide.
Moving into a VM
Moving into a virtual environment takes a little more effort.
Create the container
This will create a 10 GB raw image:
# dd if=/dev/zero of=/media/Backup/backup.img bs=1024 count=10482381
If you want to create one the exact size of your root partition, run fdisk -l and use the value from the Blocks column. Note that you will transfer you entire root tree, so that includes the /boot and /home folders. If you have any separate partitions for those, you need to take them into account when creating the container.
Now load the necessary module and mount it as a loopback device, on /dev/loop5 (for example):
# modprobe loop # losetup /dev/loop5 /media/Backup/backup.img
Install gparted and slap a partition table on it (e.g. "msdos") and a filesystem (e.g. "ext4"):
# pacman -S gparted # gparted /dev/loop5
Transfer the system
Mount the loopback device and transfer the system:
# mkdir /mnt/Virtual
# mount /dev/loop5p1 /mnt/Virtual
# rsync -aAXv /* /mnt/Virtual --exclude={/dev/*,/proc/*,/sys/*,/tmp/*,/run/*,/mnt/*,/media/*,/lost+found,/home/*/.gvfs}
Convert the container to a compatible format
Change directory to where the loopback file is located and choose the appropriate command for your virtual machine:
$ cd /media/Backup $ qemu-img convert -c -f raw -O qcow backup.img backup.qcow2 $ VBoxManage convertfromraw --format VDI backup.img backup.vdi $ VBoxManage convertfromraw --format VMDK backup.img backup.vmdk
Chroot and reinstall the bootloader
Hook up the converted file from above, and the latest Arch Linux ISO into the virtual CD-ROM. Then start the virtual machine and chroot into it:
# mount /dev/sda1 /mnt # arch-chroot /mnt
Reinstall either Syslinux or GRUB, using the instructions from the Beginners' Guide. Don't forget to update its configuration file:
- For Syslinux, it should be
APPEND root=/dev/sda1 roinsyslinux.cfg.
- For GRUB, it's recommended that you automatically re-generate a
grub.cfg.
Adjust the fstab
Since your entire root tree has been transferred to a single partition, edit the fstab file. You may use the UUID or label if you want, but those are more useful in multi-drive, multi-partition configurations (to avoid confusions). For now, /dev/sda1 for your entire system is just fine.
# nano /etc/fstab
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nodev,nosuid 0 0 /dev/sda1 / ext4 defaults,noatime 0 1
Having an nvidia, nouveau, radeon, intel, etc., entry in the Device section from one of the Xorg configuration files will prevent it from starting, since you will be using emulated hardware (including the video card). So it's recommended that you move/rename or delete the following:
# mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak # mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-monitor /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-monitor.bak
Re-generate the initramfs image
Because the hardware has changed, while you're still in the chroot, re-generate the initramfs image and do a proper shutdown:
# mkinitcpio -p linux # poweroff
Finally, pull out the LiveCD (the ISO file) and start the virtual machine.
Enjoy your new virtual environment.
Troubleshoot
"mount: special device /dev/loop5p1 does not exist"
First, check the loopback device with fdisk for the starting block:
# fdisk -l /dev/loop5
Disk /dev/loop5: 10.7 GB, 10733958144 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 1304 cylinders, total 20964762 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000b45e8
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/loop5p1 * 2048 20963327 10480640 83 Linux
Then use it as an offset when mounting it:
# mount -o offset=$((2048 * 512)) /dev/loop5 /mnt/Virtual/
"Waiting 10 seconds for device /dev/sda1; ERROR: Unable to find root device '/dev/sda1'"
Waiting 10 seconds for device /dev/sda1 ...
ERROR: Unable to find root device '/dev/sda1'.
You are being dropped to a recovery shell
Type 'exit' to try and continue booting
sh: can't access tty; job control turned off
[rootfs /]# _
It most likely means that you didn't run poweroff like you were instructed to, and closed the VM with the "close" button, which is the equivalent of a power outage. Now you need to regenerate your initramfs image. To do that, you can start the VM using the Fallback entry. If you don't have a Fallback entry, press Tab (for Syslinux) or e (for GRUB) and rename it initramfs-linux-fallback.img. After it boots, open up a terminal and run:
# mkinitcpio -p linux # poweroff
"Missing operating system. FATAL: INT18: BOOT FAILURE"
You will need to install (reinstall) a bootloader. See the instructions from the Beginners' Guide.
Also, check the boot order from the BIOS or from the VM's settings and make sure that the drive containing the bootloader is the first to boot.
I'm asked for the root password, for maintenance
:: Checking Filesystems [BUSY] fsck.ext4: Unable to resolve '...'
This means that you forgot to add the drive's UUID, label or device name in /etc/fstab. The UUID is different every time you format it (or in this case, create one from scratch), and they likely do not match. Check with blkid.