Copying Linux install from one NUC to another

[kendew]

Hello.  I have two NUC8i5EHs.  I'm in the process of installing a highly customized Arch Linux system.  I'm interested in having the exact system on both systems.  The installation process is very time consuming, so ideally I'd like to copy the installed system from one NUC to the other. The SSD is virtually the same,  one a Samsung (MZ-V7E500BW) 970 EVO SSD 500GB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology, and the other the Samsung 970 Plus.

. I am wondering if using the Linux dd tool is an effective way to do this.  Or if there might be a better way.

Hopefully someone has experience with this.  Much appreciated.

[AlHill]

Sounds like a question for ...  the linux community.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)

[n_scott_pearson · Accepted solution]

Get a USB 3.0 NVMe adapter and then you can simply clone the drive. Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087BW2KYH.

Hope this helps,

...S

[kendew]

Thanks for replies.  I've also posted to Linux forums and have received good ideas,  but n_scott_pearson's reply was uniquely and especially helpful,  because it was so practical.

[powerarmour]

@kendew 

You can also just use the gnome-disk-utility, and from the options menu 'Create Disk image' from the drive you want to copy, save the image somewhere, then 'Restore Disk Image' back to another drive, and then expand any partitions as necessary, dead easy