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SPECIFICTION
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doClone

nongnu.org

Free plan Linux
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Spec score 8.2 #4 of 26 in Disk Cloning Software

What it is

doClone is a free GNU/Linux program for creating and restoring disk or partition images, including transfers between computers on a local network. It can image the system it is running on, clone disks or partitions of different sizes, and preserve filesystem UUIDs and labels. When restoring to a differently sized disk, it can resize partitions proportionally; a smaller target works only if the stored data fits, otherwise restoration returns an error. Full-disk images include the boot sector, and doClone can restore GRUB and its options on the receiving machine. Network transfers can use Unicast/Multicast or Chain Mode, which moves data through a chain of computers. The program supports 12 filesystems, including ext2, ext3, ext4, FAT16, FAT32, HFS, HFS+, JFS, Linux swap, NTFS, ReiserFS, and XFS, plus nine disk labels. Local use is limited to creating images and restoring existing ones. The project describes managing GNU/Linux installations in offices or schools, including computers with different hardware. It has so far been compiled only for GNU/Linux. The listed latest version is 0.8.0; dependencies include libparted 3.2 or later and several other libraries. It is distributed under the GNU GPL v3 License.

Spec sheet

Purpose
doClone creates or restores GNU/Linux system images and can transfer data between computers on a LAN.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
License
The program is free software distributed under the GNU GPL version 3.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Boot restoration
For a complete disk image, it saves the boot sector and restores GRUB and its options when present.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Cloning
It can clone disks or partitions with different sizes and preserve filesystem UUIDs and labels.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Dependencies
The listed library dependencies include libparted 3.2 or later, libe2fs, libuuid, libblkid, libarchive, libxerces-c, and liblog4cpp.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Different disk sizes
The page says an image can be restored to a smaller disk when the stored data fits, with partitions adjusted proportionally.Read 4 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Disk and partition cloning
It can clone disks or partitions with different sizes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Disk labels
It supports nine disk labels: Aix, Amiga, BSD, DVH, GPT, Mac, MsDos, PC98, and Sun.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Download
The latest version listed is 0.8.0, and the source can be obtained from the Savannah Git repository.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Filesystem support
It supports 12 filesystems, including ext2, ext3, ext4, FAT16, FAT32, HFS, HFS+, JFS, Linux swap, NTFS, ReiserFS, and XFS.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Filesystems
The page says doClone supports 12 filesystems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Intended use
The site describes managing GNU/Linux installations in offices or schools, including computers with different hardware.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
LAN modes
Network cloning supports Unicast/Multicast and Chain Mode, which transfers data through a chain of computers.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Live cloning
A system can create an image of itself, and the underlying libdoclone library can send data over the network without first creating an image.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Local use
Local use is limited to creating disk or partition images and restoring previously created images.Read 4 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Local use limit
Local use is limited to creating disk or partition images and restoring previously created images.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Network modes
Network transfers can use Unicast/Multicast or Chain Mode.Read 4 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Platform
The page says doClone has so far been compiled only for GNU/Linux.Read 4 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Size adjustment
Partitions can be resized proportionally when restoring to a differently sized disk; restoration returns an error if the data does not fit.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org
Supported platform
The site says doClone has been compiled only for GNU/Linux.Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org

Plans and prices

doClone Free GNU/Linux disk and partition imaging and restoration Read 5 Oct 2026 · doclone.nongnu.org

Every doClone plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Clones disks and partitions of different sizes
  • Can restore GRUB and boot-sector information
  • Supports 12 filesystems and nine disk labels
  • Free software under the GNU GPL v3

Limits

  • Compiled only for GNU/Linux
  • Local use is limited to imaging and restoration
  • Smaller targets work only when stored data fits

Who it suits

doClone suits offices or schools managing GNU/Linux installations, particularly where machines have different hardware. It can also transfer images across a local network.

Verdict

doClone offers disk and partition imaging with network transfer and proportional resizing for different disk sizes. Its GNU/Linux-only availability and local-use limits are important constraints to consider.

Where Specifiction places it

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