Hi

My first venture into Cloud computing. I chose Linode after various trials of other providers including Rackspace.

One thing I liked with Rackspace is I could use an image I had previously created for a new server. So i could create a server, configure it etc. then save that for later.

Is this possible with Linode? I have looked at Backups and Cloning but they dont seem quite right. With my Backups I want to take a snapshot often, so when I use the snapshot or Clone it will be in a more advanced state than what I want to create a new linode from. What I mean is, I created a Linode, added various software and a firewall, configured it all etc. I want to save that state. I have added some sites to this Linode, and may add specific software for these sites, so I may not want to Clone that. I would like to save the initial linode I setup as an image to use for subsequent Linodes.

Thanks!

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Web Development Agency in South Wales

One approach is to get a Linode set up as you desire, and then make a copy of any disk images you wish to preserve as a baseline for later. A second approach is to dedicate one Linode as master, so after you get it set up as needed, just shut it off and leave it off. Only boot it if you want to change your master configuration.

If you have the available space, you can duplicate any disk image locally from its edit screen. Or you can clone one or more disk images to a different Linode. I'm not sure if there's an easy way to duplicate a profile on a local Linode, but there's also not a lot of information to reproduce if you want to reuse. Cloning can select a profile and include it plus all referenced images.

In either case (master Linode, or copied config/images) leave them alone once set up - don't boot any Linode from them unless you want to use that process to adjust your master. When starting up a new Linode, clone the baseline profile (plus images) to the new Linode.

You will need at least one "owning" Linode to have the space for the disk images, which depending on size may or may not let you use that Linode in actual operation.

-- David

PS: There are also some procedures you could in theory use to retrieve disk images from a Linode and store elsewhere (I think even some library entries on it) but in general I wouldn't recommend it due to time to transfer back and forth and the hassle factor compared to managing the images internally within your Linodes.

If I turn a Linode off would I be charged the monthly fee? If not then this would be the easiest option I think. I didnt want to create a master Linode because I thought I would be charged. Initial fee is OK if it is then put toward other server costs (prorated)

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Web Development Agency in South Wales

Yes, your linode is still there using up an IP and disk space even if it's off. The only way to not be charged is to delete that linode. If you want to save an image and then delete the linode, you need to dd off an image. (Then dd it back when you start renting a 'node again)

See https://library.linode.com/migration/ssh-copy

You'll be charged for each linode you create and it's active. (As in the node still exists even if it's powered down)

Ok so if I can download an image and use it in the future that should be OK. Will take a look at the article when ready. Thanks a lot.

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Web Development Agency in South Wales

Just make sure you have a fast enough connection on your end, because uploading a multi-gig disk image can take time.

You can leave inactive disk images on a linode if you have space. Imagine you've got a linode with 24GB of space: if you run it off a 12GB partition, you can have another 12GB partition that you don't mount that has the image you deploy to other machines.