ocs-sr(8)

📦 version 5.19.7, in arch rolling, ubuntu stonking

💖 ocs-sr — the Clonezilla main character 💖

okay bestie, gather round, because this is the big one. we're talking ocs-sr, straight out of the Clonezilla Manual (section 8, for all my fellow nerds who care about that kind of thing). she's the main command, the moment, the whole entire vibe. 🎀

✨ NAME ✨

ocs-sr — Clonezilla: save or restore a disk or partition(s) 🫶

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

ocs-sr [OPTION] {savedisk|saveparts|restoredisk|restoreparts} IMAGE_NAME
DEVICE

✨ DESCRIPTION ✨

so like. ocs-sr is THE main command of Clonezilla — the queen bee 👑 — and what she does is save or restore a disk or partition(s). that's it, that's the job.

where do you usually find her? living her best life in Clonezilla live</> or hanging out in a DRBL environment. iykyk. 💅

✨ COMMANDS ✨

you gotta pick one of these four besties before you do literally anything else. choose wisely ok? 😭

  • savedisk — saves the entire disk(s) as an image. the whole thing. all of it. no crumbs left behind. 🔥
  • saveparts — saves the partition(s) as an image. tiny slice energy, but make it iconic. ✨
  • restoredisk — restores the image back onto the entire disk(s). put it back where it came from, periodt. 💖
  • restoreparts — restores the image back onto the partition(s). the comeback tour we've all been waiting for. 🌸

✨ OPTIONS ✨

Bestie, this is the big one. Every single knob, dial, and secret switch ocs-sr(8) hands you. They come in three flavours: saving, restoring, and general. Buckle up, it's giving very much "menu at a fancy restaurant but the waiter knows every dish personally" 💖

💾 Options for saving

  • -noabo, --not-only-access-by-owner — makes the partition image readable by other people too (mode 644). default is 600, aka owner-eyes-only energy 🔒.
  • -senc, --skip-enc-ocs-img — skips encrypting the image with a passphrase. no passphrase, no problem.
  • -enc, --enc-ocs-img — encrypts the image with a passphrase, using ecryptfs. spicy 🔥.
  • -sgoc, --skip-gocrypt-ocs-img — skips encrypting the image with a passphrase, but for the gocryptfs flavour.
  • -goc, --gocrypt-ocs-img — encrypts the image with a passphrase, this time via gocryptfs.
  • -sfsck, --skip-fsck-src-part — don't bother running fsck on the source file system before saving it. just yolo it.
  • -fsck, -fsck-src-part, --fsck-src-part — runs fsck interactively on the source file system before saving. it will literally ask you things, so pay attention 👀.
  • -fsck-y, -fsck-src-part-y, --fsck-src-part-y — runs fsck automatically on the source file system before saving, and attempts to fix any detected filesystem corruption on its own. hands-off, auto-mode, slay.
  • -gm, --gen-md5sum — generates the MD5 checksum for the image.
  • -gs, --gen-sha1sum — generates the SHA1 checksum for the image.
  • -gb2, -gb, --gen-b2sum — generates the BLAKE2 checksum for the image.
  • -gb3, --gen-b3sum — generates the BLAKE3 checksum for the image.
  • -gmf, --gen-chksum-for-files-in-dev — generates the checksum for the files sitting in the source device.
  • -i, --image-size SIZE — set the size in MB that the partition image file gets chopped into, so it splits across multiple volume files. slice it 🍰.
  • -j2, --clone-hidden-data — uses dd to clone the image of the data slotted between the MBR (1st sector) and the 1st partition.
  • -ntfs-ok, --ntfs-ok — assumes the NTFS integrity is OK and does NOT check again (this one's for ntfsclone only).
  • -rm-win-swap-hib, --rm-win-swap-hib — tries to remove the MS Windows swap file and hibernation file from the source partition. spring cleaning, Windows edition 🧹.
  • -q, --use-ntfsclone — uses ntfsclone to save the NTFS partition. priority order: ntfsclone > partimage > dd.
  • -q1, --force-to-use-dd — forces using dd to save partition(s). it's inefficient and slow, but it works for all file systems. the reliable chaotic friend.
  • -q2, --use-partclone — uses partclone to save partition(s). priority order: partclone > partimage > dd.
  • -rescue, --rescue — turns on rescue mode, meaning it'll try to skip bad sectors. main character energy in a crisis.
  • -sc, -scs, --skip-check-restorable, --skip-check-restorable-s — skips checking whether the image is restorable after it's been created. faith-based vibes ✨.
  • -z0, --no-compress — no compression when saving. raw. unfiltered.
  • -z1, --gzip-compress — compresses with gzip (this is the default, btw).
  • -z1p, --smp-gzip-compress — compresses with the parallel gzip program, pigz.
  • -z2, --bz2-compress — compresses with bzip2.
  • -z2p, --smp-bzip2-compress — compresses with the parallel bzip2 program, lbzip2.
  • -z3, --lzo-compress — compresses with lzop.
  • -z4, --lzma-compress — compresses with lzma.
  • -z5, --xz-compress — compresses with xz.
  • -z5p, --smp-xz-compress — compresses with parallel xz.
  • -z6, --lzip-compress — compresses with lzip.
  • -z6p, --smp-lzip-compress — compresses with parallel lzip.
  • -z7, --lrzip-compress — compresses with lrzip.
  • -z8, --lz4-compress — compresses with lz4.
  • -z8p, --lz4mt-compress — compresses with multi-threaded lz4.
  • -z9, --zstd-compress — compresses with zstd.
  • -z9p, --zstdmt-compress — compresses with parallel zstd (zstdmt).
  • -sfs, --skip-fs-save — do not save the file system for the device, just save the rest of the files.
  • -pe, --passwd-ecryptfs PASSWD — sets the password used to encrypt the image (ecryptfs).
  • -pfe, --passwd-file-ecryptfs FILE — sets the password used to encrypt the image, by pulling it out of FILE (ecryptfs).
  • -pg, --passwd-gocryptfs PASSWD — sets the password used to encrypt the image (gocryptfs).
  • -pfg, --passwd-file-gocryptfs FILE — sets the password used to encrypt the image, by reading it from FILE (gocryptfs).
  • -plu, --put-log-files-usb — puts the Clonezilla live related log files onto the Clonezilla live USB drive.
  • -scpt, --skip-check-part-table — skips checking the partition table of the source disk.
  • *-luks, --enable-luks *MODE — opens the LUKS device, or not. MODE can be either yes or no.
  • *-dblk, --decrypt-bitlocker *MODE — decrypts the BitLocker device, or not. MODE can be either yes or no.

🔄 Options for restoring

  • *-f, --from-part *PARTITION — restores the partition from an image or block device over to a different partition.
  • *-g, --grub-install *GRUB_PARTITION — installs grub in the MBR. GRUB_PARTITION can be "auto" or a device name.
  • -r, --resize-partition — resizes the partition to fit the target partition size.
  • -k, --no-fdisk, --no-create-partition — do NOT create a partition table on the target harddisk.
  • -icrc — skips Partclone CRC checking.
  • -irhr — skips removing the Linux udev hardware records on the restored GNU/Linux.
  • -irvd — skips removing the NTFS volume dirty flag after restoration.
  • -ius — skips updating syslinux-related files on the restored GNU/Linux.
  • -iui — skips updating initramfs file(s) on the restored GNU/Linux.
  • -icds, --ignore-chk-dsk-size-pt — skips checking the destination disk size before creating the partition table.
  • -iefi, --ignore-update-efi-nvram — skips updating boot entries in EFI NVRAM after restoring.
  • -k0 — creates the partition table based on the partition table from the image (this is the default).
  • -k1 — creates the partition table in the target disk proportionally.
  • -k2 — drops you into a command line prompt so you can create the partition table manually before restoring. DIY era.
  • -scr, --skip-check-restorable-r — skips checking whether the image is restorable before restoring.
  • -t, --no-restore-mbr — do NOT restore the MBR.
  • -t1, --restore-raw-mbr — restores the prebuilt bootloader from syslinux (Windows only).
  • -t2, --no-restore-ebr — do NOT restore the EBR.
  • -u, --select-img-in-client — input the image name in clients.
  • -e, --load-geometry — forces using the saved CHS (cylinders, heads, sectors).
  • *-e1, --change-geometry *NTFS-BOOT-PARTITION — forces a change to the CHS value of the NTFS boot partition after the image is restored.
  • -e2, --load-geometry-from-edd — forces using the CHS from EDD (Enhanced Disk Device).
  • -j, --create-part-by-sfdisk — uses sfdisk to create the partition table (default, bb).
  • -j0, --create-part-by-dd — uses dd to dump the partition table from the saved image instead of using sfdisk.
  • -j1, --dump-mbr-in-the-end — uses dd to dump the MBR after the disk image has been restored.
  • -j2, --clone-hidden-data — uses dd to clone data between the MBR and the 1st partition (restoredisk mode only).
  • *-hn0 *PREFIX — changes the hostname of MS Windows based on PREFIX-IP.
  • *-hn1 *PREFIX — changes the hostname of MS Windows based on PREFIX-MAC.
  • *--max-time-to-wait *TIME — when not enough clients have connected, it starts anyways after TIME seconds. impatient icon behaviour ⏰.
  • -cm, --check-md5sum — checks the MD5 checksum for the image.
  • -cs, --check-sha1sum — checks the SHA1 checksum for the image.
  • -cb2, -cb, --check-b2sum — checks the BLAKE2 checksum for the image.
  • -cb3, --check-b3sum — checks the BLAKE3 checksum for the image.
  • -cmf, --chk-chksum-for-files-in-dev — checks the checksum for the files in the device.
  • -srel, --save-restore-error-log — saves the error log file in the image dir.
  • *--mcast-port *NO — assigns the udp port number for multicast restore.
  • -ssnf, --skip-set-netboot-first — skips setting the 1st boot device as network in uEFI NVRAM.

🎀 General options

  • *-l, --language *INDEX — sets the language to be shown, by index number (e.g., 0 or en_US.UTF-8).
  • -b, -batch, --batch — runs the program in batch mode. dangerous! like, genuinely, bestie.
  • -c, --confirm — waits for confirmation before saving or restoring.
  • -d, --debug-mode — enters command mode to debug.
  • *--debug=LEVEL* — outputs the partimage debug log in directory /var/log/ with debug LEVEL.
  • *-m, --module *MODULE — forces loading kernel module MODULE.
  • --use-netcat — uses netcat instead of nuttcp for network clone.
  • *--net-filter *PROGRAM — uses PROGRAM (gzip, bzip2, xz, lz4, zstd, cat) as the network filter.
  • -o0, --run-prerun-dir — runs the script in the prerun directory before the clone is started.
  • -o1, -o, --run-postrun-dir — runs the script in the postrun directory when the clone is finished.
  • *-w, --wait-time *TIME — waits for TIME seconds before saving/restoring.
  • -nogui, --nogui — doesn't show the GUI (TUI), text only. minimalism periodt.
  • -a, --no-force-dma-on — doesn't force turning on HD DMA.
  • *-mp, --mount-point *MOUNT_POINT — uses NFS to mount MOUNT_POINT as directory ocsroot.
  • *-or, --ocsroot *DIR — specifies DIR (an absolute path) as directory ocsroot.
  • *-p, --postaction *ACTION — the action taken when finished: [choose|poweroff|reboot|command|CMD].
  • -ps, --play-sound — plays a sound when the job is done. 🎵 iconic.
  • -ns, --ntfs-progress-in-image-dir — saves the ntfsclone progress tmp file in the image dir.
  • *-s, --source-IP *IPADD — assigns the IP address of the source machine for device to device cloning.
  • -bm, --beginner-mode — runs in beginner mode.
  • -em, --expert-mode — runs in expert mode.
  • -um, --user-mode [beginner|expert] — specifies the user mode.
  • -edio, --enable-direct-io — enables the direct IO mode of Partclone for NVMe SSD.
  • -smtd, --save-mtdblock — saves MTD block device.
  • -smmcb, --save-mmcblk — saves eMMC boot device.
  • -rmtd, --restore-mtdblock — restores MTD block device.
  • -rmmcb, --restore-mmcblk — restores eMMC boot device.
  • -uoab, --use-ocs-alias-blkdev — uses the Clonezilla alias block device name (e.g., ocs-*d*).
  • -reluks, --reencrypt-luks — reencrypts LUKS encrypted volumes in-place.
  • -v, --verbose — prints verbose information. the "tell me everything" button 🗣️.
  • -d0, --dialog — uses dialog.
  • -d1, --Xdialog — uses Xdialog.
  • -d2, --whiptail — uses whiptail.
  • -d3, --gdialog — uses gdialog.
  • -d4, --kdialog — uses kdialog.
  • -x, --interactive — interactive mode.
  • *-os, --ocs-server *SRV — assigns the OCS server as SRV.

✨ RESERVED WORDS ✨

okay so some arguments are ✨magic✨ — if you type these exact words in these exact spots, ocs-sr does something cute instead of treating them like a literal name. reserved words bestie, they hit different 💅

💖 For IMAGE_NAME:

  • ask_user — it literally just stops and asks you to type a name in. very "your turn, babes" energy 🎀
  • autoname — auto-generates the image name from the MAC address and the time. no thoughts, just vibes and timestamps ⏰
  • autohostname — auto-generates the image name from the hostname. it's giving "name it after yourself" 💁‍♀️
  • autoproductname — auto-generates the image name from the hardware product model. yes it read your machine's birth chart 🌸

🦋 For DEVICE:

  • ask_user — prompts you to pick which source device you want. choose your fighter ✨
  • all — selects all unmounted local disks or partitions. only unmounted ones though — do not come for me if you forgot to unmount, that's not my fault 😭

🌈 EXAMPLES 🌈

the moment you've all been waiting for, the demo reel, the main character era 👑

1. save every last crumb of data on the local 1st hard drive sda as an image called IMAGE1, using ntfsclone and lzop compression:

ocs-sr --use-ntfsclone -z3 savedisk IMAGE1 sda

2. save the data from the 1st and 2nd partition on the local first hard drive sda as an image called IMAGE2, using ntfsclone:

ocs-sr --use-ntfsclone -z3 saveparts IMAGE2 "sda1 sda2"

3. restore IMAGE1 back onto local sda, and grub-install gets run after the cloning is done:

ocs-sr -g auto restoredisk IMAGE1 sda

4. restore the image holding the 1st and 2nd partition from IMAGE2 onto local sda1 and sda2, and again grub-install runs after restoring:

ocs-sr -g auto restoreparts IMAGE2 "sda1 sda2"

5. save disk(s)/partition(s) as an image, or restore an image back to disk(s)/partition(s), interactively — aka let the menu hold your hand 🫶:

ocs-sr -x

📁 FILES 📁

  • /etc/drbl/drbl-ocs.conf — the configuration file for Clonezilla. all the settings live here, it's the little home base 🏠

👀 SEE ALSO 👀

go read those too, i know you want to 📚

💜 AUTHORS 💜

  • Steven Shiau <steven _at_ clonezilla org> — the icon, the legend, the moment 👑

aaaand that's the whole page bestie, you made it to the end, so proud of you 🥹🌸 this was Clonezilla, dated 2026-05-03, filed under section ocs-sr(8) — go clone something responsibly, love u, bye 💖✨🦋

📦 where this page comes from