1. Overview of Clone Packages

The clone package has a larger footprint as it saves the entire system, including the factory-default root file system (rootfs), as well as all customer-installed applications and personalization settings.

The clone package can be used to restore the Robustel edge computing gateway from which it was created or another gateway of the same model.

• System Partition -

2. Prerequisites

• Supported Product Models: EG3110, EG5100, EG5101, EG5120, EG5200, LG5100, R1520LG and EV8100.

• Required Firmware Version: Must be running RobustOS Pro V2.4.0 or a higher version.

• A USB drive formatted with the ext4 file system.

3. Clone Package Creation Process

Phase 1: Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive

Format a USB drive to the ext4 file system using a computer. This drive will be used to store the generated clone package.

Step 2: Select the Template Gateway

Identify a gateway of the same model as your target devices to serve as the template.

Phase 2: Prepare the Template Gateway

Step 3: Restore Template Gateway to Factory State

To ensure a clean and consistent baseline, install the Factory Package (e.g., factory-eg5120_2.4.0_arm64.deb) on the template gateway. This operation will upgrade the read-only system partition to the target version, restore the template gateway to the factory state of the target version, and help reduce the space occupied by clone package and system backups.

Note:

• The Factory Package is used for local upgrades only; Do not interrupt the power supply during the upgrade process.

• This process erases all user data and configurations. Back up any critical data before proceeding.

Action

1. Log in to the gateway's web management interface (default address: 192.168.0.1).

2. Navigate to “System > Update,” and upload the Factory Package file

Please download the Factory Package from the following link: RobustOS Pro Factory Package v2.4.x

3. After the upload is complete, click "OK" to start the Factory Package installation. Please note that the installation process will take some time to complete.

4. After the installation is complete, click "OK" to reboot the device.

5. After rebooting, confirm that the firmware version has been successfully updated on the “System Information” page.

Step 4: Create a Privileged User Account

Clone package creation requires sudo privileges.

Action

1. Navigate to “System > User Management,” and Click “+” to add the Sudo user.

2. After adding the sudo user, click the "Save & Apply" button to apply the changes.

Step 5: Software Installation and Verification

Install all required applications and perform functional tests. The state of the template at this point will be replicated to all target devices.

【Critical Space Requirement】

Crucially, after installing applications, ensure the remaining available space on the overlay partition is 50% or more.

• Reason: To ensure system reliability, the system will automatically set the final restored state as the factory backup after the clone package is restored. Consequently, you must reserve adequate additional storage space to complete this mandatory backup operation.

• Warning: If the used space exceeds this threshold (i.e., remaining space is less than 50%), the clone package restoration may fail.

You can use the df command to verify the overlay partition's remaining space.

Robustel@Edge-Gateway:~$ df
Filesystem        1K-blocks   Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/mmcblk2p4       256512 256512         0 100% /rom
devtmpfs             908748      0    908748   0% /dev
tmpfs                976780      0    976780   0% /dev/shm
tmpfs                390716  25912    364804   7% /run
tmpfs                  5120      4      5116   1% /run/lock
/dev/mmcblk2p9     13074580 168160  12220472   2% /overlay
/dev/mmcblk2p6          256    256         0 100% /middle/extend
overlayfs:overlay  13074580 168160  12220472   2% /
/dev/mmcblk2p7        14585     14     13425   1% /misc
/dev/mmcblk2p8       287237  39529    228252  15% /data
tmpfs                976780    144    976636   1% /tmp
tmpfs                976780    184    976596   1% /var/config
tmpfs                976780      0    976780   0% /var/socks
tmpfs                976780     84    976696   1% /var/status

【Action if Space is Insufficient】

If the remaining space is less than 50%, you must:

1. Remove any unnecessary applications or data files.

2. Execute the following commands to clean the APT installation cache, which will reduce the size of the generated clone package:

apt-get clean
rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

Phase 3: Create and Validate the Clone Package

Step 6: Generate the Clone Package

1. Insert the prepared USB drive into the template gateway.

2. Log in via SSH using the sudo account created in Step 4.

3. Execute the clone creation command, specifying the USB drive's mount point:

Robustel @Edge-Gateway:~$ sudo rbt-system-mgmt clone create -D /media/sda1
/dev/mmcblk2boot0 is the active uboot partition!
creating clone...
tar: /overlay/upper/var/agentx/master: socket ignored                                                       ]   4% ETA 0:03:05
 950MiB 0:02:44 [5.76MiB/s] [==============================================================================>] 100%
Archive created successfully: /media/sda1/EG5120_C2FCZ-clone-2.4.0.20251017.e686882b.tar.gz
TYPE=clone
RAW=273
COMPRESSED=253
TAR_SIZE=264294910
HASH=58a1cc9bcd0d3d583908739ee317f5ac244f62862f03a60fa6b2a0c7f4b55e1a
SYS_VERSION=20250927-g87f4040+
MODEL=EG5120-C2FCZ
CREATE_TIME=1760695903
VERSION=2.4.0.20251017.e686882b
SECURE_BOOT=false

The clone has been created successfully, the file is /media/sda1/EG5120_C2FCZ-clone-2.4.0.20251017.e686882b.tar.gz

Note: The default storage path for the clone package is /overlay/clone/, but you can specify a custom storage path by adding the parameter -D <directory>.

Step 7: Validate the Clone Package

7.1 Inspect Package Metadata

Use the info command to verify the package details:

Robustel @Edge-Gateway:~$ sudo rbt-system-mgmt clone info /media/sda1/EG5120_C2FCZ-clone-2.4.0.20251017.e686882b.tar.gz
TYPE=clone
RAW=273
COMPRESSED=253
TAR_SIZE=264294910
HASH=58a1cc9bcd0d3d583908739ee317f5ac244f62862f03a60fa6b2a0c7f4b55e1a
SYS_VERSION=20250927-g87f4040+
MODEL=EG5120-C2FCZ
CREATE_TIME=1760695903
VERSION=2.4.0.20251017.e686882b
SECURE_BOOT=false

Confirm the MODEL, VERSION, and other key fields are correct.

7.2 Perform a Test Restoration

1. Warning: This will erase the target test gateway.

2. Use a gateway of the same model as the template.

3. Run the restore command and confirm the operation (Y).

Robustel @Edge-Gateway:~$ sudo rbt-system-mgmt clone restore /media/sda1/EG5120_C2FCZ-clone-2.4.0.20251017.e686882b.tar.gz
The operation would result in removing the existing backup and snapshot, and the current system will be overwritten. (Y/N) Y
checking for restore validity...
OK!
Extracting clone into directory '/overlay/restore'...
Start using clone to restore the system...
tar: Removing leading `/' from member names
 252MiB 0:00:07 [31.7MiB/s] [==========================================================================================>] 100%
The system version is the same, skip restore system image.
/overlay/.rbt-system-mgmt-blocked-list will be removed.
/overlay/.rbt-system-mgmt-failback will be removed.
/overlay/lost+found will be removed.
done!

The system has been cloned successfully. Reboot is required to take effect.

Robustel @Edge-Gateway:~$ reboot

4. Reboot the gateway. The RUN LED will flash rapidly during installation.

5. When the LEDs display a chasing light pattern, the installation is complete. Remove the USB drive at this point, and the device will reboot again.

6. After the final reboot, verify the restore status:

Robustel@Edge-Gateway:~$ sudo rbt-system-mgmt restore status
Restore command: rbt-system-mgmt clone restore /overlay/clone/EG5120_C2FCZ-clone-2.4.0.20251017.e686882b.tar.gz at 2025-10-17 18:32:26
Restore result: success at 2025-10-17 18:33:17

7. Thoroughly validate the system, applications, and configurations.

Note：After installing the clone package, the state of the clone package becomes the factory default state. This means that any subsequent factory reset operation will automatically revert the device to the configuration state of the installed clone package.

Step 8: Clone Package Pre-installation

If you require this clone package to be pre-installed during the product manufacturing process, please provide it to our Technical Support team. Otherwise, skip this step.

Document Feedback

We welcome your feedback to improve this document. Please send any suggestions or corrections to support@robustel.com.