You are looking far too deep .... just rsync -avP to /newusr reboot to livecd rsync again with --delete to update ... takes a only few seconds this time - minimal downtime :) mv /usr /oldusr mv /newusr /usr reboot
The --numeric-ids is a good idea but I've made my systems consistent with the standard gentoo id's so that's no longer a problem. Ive done this many times over the years, and to the system I am writing this on many times (moving to lvm2, restoring from backups after disk failures, restoring from backups after user failure - rm -rf /usr !) If you need to practice, run up a vm and test/destroy :) You have got the disk space, so if you have a backup its reversible so don't be a wimp :) BillK On 03/12/13 05:36, Mick wrote: > On Monday 02 Dec 2013 20:40:28 Tanstaafl wrote: >> On 2013-12-02 2:41 PM, Thanasis <thana...@asyr.hopto.org> wrote: > >>> That is why I recommend using the option --numeric-ids. >>> And using it would not hurt anyway. >> >> Right... poison pointed this out... >> >> This is why I asked for help about the arguments. >> >> I honestly don't care about superflous/unnecessary arguments, I just >> want to make sure I use at least the ones needed for this to work. >> >> Thanks... > > The comment about --numeric-ids that Thanasis made is valid. I messed up > some > fs of mine last time I used rsync, when I wasn't paying much attention! I > made a mental note to always use it in the future. On the other hand, if > you're not that comfortable with it, a quick trial run with a test filesystem > will offer some assurance that your chosen command and options will work as > you intended. BTW, you do not *have* to use rsync: > > cp -a > > will do the same. > > su - > cd /old_usr > tar --one-file-system -cf . | (cd /new_usr ; tar -xvpf - ) > > will also do the same. > > Finally, star -copy is my favourite faster alternative to copying > directories, > inc. respecting any acl's and the like if you specify it in the options: > > su - > star -copy <options> -C /old_usr . /new_usr > > Then you can also add -diff to see if any file was not copied correctly (use > star diffopts=!<option> to exclude things like ctime, or you'll drown in the > noise of the output). > > > Speaking from experience I suggest that you do not blast your old /usr away > until you have booted with /usr mounted in the new location and have verified > that ownership and access rights are as you expected. >
