============================
Cloning from template image
============================

Bonders can be created from a template image of a `default bonder
<../initial-bonding-configuration.html#default-bonder-configuration>`__.
This allows many bonders to be built at once,
either by deploying the image directly to the hard
disk in each CPE over a network, or by duplicating many hard disks at
once and then installing them in the CPEs. The bonders can then be
`configured later using the web
service <../configuring-default-bonder-via-web-service.html>`__.

.. note::

    A template should be only be deployed to the same hardware it was
    created on. For example, if you plan to clone to Lanner FW-7535s, use a
    Lanner FW-7535 when creating the template image. If you clone to
    multiple hardware models, you should create multiple image templates.

.. warning::

    Proper care must be exercised when creating a template image.
    To prevent issues with cloned bonders, be sure to follow the instructions in
    `Clearing host configuration to make a clone template
    <../../deconfiguring-a-bonder/clearing-host-configuration-to-make-a-clone-template.html>`__
    when creating a template image.

Since each partner has unique provisioning requirements, we do not
provide specific instructions on deploying template image files.

Cloning software
-----------------

The following software can be used to create and deploy disk images.

Open source
++++++++++++

-  `Clonezilla <http://clonezilla.org/>`__—offers both server/multicast
   and single copy mode
-  `Redo Backup and Recovery <http://redobackup.org/>`__
-  `PING <http://ping.windowsdream.com/>`__

Commercial
+++++++++++

-  `Symantec Ghost Solution
   Suite <https://www.symantec.com/theme/ghost>`__
-  `Acronis Backup & Recovery for
   Linux <http://www.acronis.com/backup-recovery/smallbusiness.html#products-linux-server>`__
