[CentOS] [Slightly OT] Data Preservation

[Scott McClanahan]

On Fri, 2009-10-02 at 13:15 -0700, John R Pierce wrote: 
> ML wrote:
> > HI All,
> >
> > So I have 5 1U servers (running Windows) that have Ultra 320 SCSI  
> > Drives in them.
> >
> > The owner of these boxes wants the drives captured in their current  
> > states to .iso or .cdr or something where if the need arises the data  
> > can be viewed, used again, etc.
> >
> > So what is the best approach? Boot from a Live CD, hook up a USB  
> > external HD and do what? Can I create a .iso or .cdr (or some other  
> > portable format) and have it created on the external USB?
> >
> > Thoughts on this process would be appreciated.
> >   

Maybe not the right tool for the job but I always like using
physical-to-virtual tools for archiving installed images.  It frees up
the hardware for me and I can have access to the data if I need it again
by spinning up the VM.