Re: ext3 -> reiserfs conversion utility?

[David Masover <ninja@slaphack.com>]

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Nick Bartos wrote:
<snip>
| From what I am reading, everyone just backs up their files and then
| reformats & restores the files.

For any two filesystems, it's highly unlikely that you can just convert
between the two.  I mean, theoretically yes, practically?  There's not
even funding (I think) for a reiser 3-4 conversion.

| Is there any other way?  I have too many and it would be a huge pain to do
| that will all of them.

Do backups.  Now.  You are an idiot and/or a cheapskate if you don't
have backups, because one day something will happen -- probably
something ridiculously stupid -- and you will need them.  I mean, go
build a backup server and, if you can afford it, give it something like
a terabyte raid5 hotplug array.  Do it now.

If you are backing up, I hope I haven't offended you.  In such a case,
it's highly likely that you can restore your backup even using something
like Knoppix.  If you can't, go rethink how you're doing your backups.

In fact, I suggest you fit each of them with cd drives or floppy drives
(cheap ones are fine) and make a custom boot cd or floppy that restores
the backup on boot.  This simplifies the process of changing
filesystems, and also means you can be back up and running in a hurry.

How similar are these boxes, btw?  I bet you can make them all use the
same cd for restoring a backup (getting the id of the machine from its
mac address).  For that matter, you might even set up a net boot server
- -- this makes things simpler, as a change to the backup process couldn't
possibly require burning a bunch of new cds.

With such a system in place, total time to change filesystems is --
install reiserfsprogs, a reiser-enabled kernel, and slight config
changes on the net boot server, then go around and reboot each computer,
manually specifying a net boot.  Or have a net boot floppy, and put a
copy in each computer -- leave it sticking out of the drive when you
don't need it, push it in and reboot for new fs.  Then sit back and wait.

Now, it will still be a huge pain, but probably worth it.  Reiserfs
always seemed a lot faster than ext3 to me.  Reiser4 seems just as much
faster than v3.  And full backup + speedy recovery = good always.

This is sent to the list as generic advice for anyone with multiple boxes.

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