6.3. Synchronization via Export

Export the current Red Hat Satellite configuration into a backup or storage solution by executing the following command as root:

# rhn-satellite-exporter -d /var/rhn-sat-export --no-errata --channel [channel_name]

When finished, move the exported directory to another Red Hat Satellite or a storage solution using rsync or scp -r.

The Red Hat Satellite Exporter offers several command line options. To use them, insert the option and appropriate value after the rhn-satellite-exporter command.

Select the contents, such as RPMs, errata, or kickstarts, to export using these command line options.

The amount of time it takes rhn-satellite-exporter to export data depends on the number and size of the exported channels. The --no-packages, --no-kickstarts, --no-errata, and --no-rpms options reduce the amount of time required for rhn-satellite-exporter to run, but also prevents export of potentially useful information. For that reason, only use these options when certain the content is not required and can be excluded. Additionally, use the matching options for satellite-sync when importing the data. For example, if you use --no-kickstarts with rhn-satellite-exporter, specify the same --no-kickstarts option when importing the data.

When exporting a Red Hat Network base channel, export the tools channel associated with that base channel. The tools channels contain the auto-kickstart packages, which install packages for kickstarting a machine through the Red Hat Satellite.