# Feedback requested: making Debian system update generation easier

**URL:** https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273
**Category:** General Discussions
**Created:** [November 21, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273 "2019-11-21T18:17:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![eystein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e5b9ba/32.png) [@eystein](https://hub.mender.io/u/eystein)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273/1 "2019-11-21T18:17:09Z")

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Hi everyone,

We’re looking at some ideas for making system update (i.e. rootfs) generation easier for Debian family distributions (where Mender uses mender-convert).

Right now the [golden image workflow](https://docs.mender.io/2.2/artifacts/debian-family#recommended-workflow) is being used, however it has quite a bit of steps for moving storage (e.g. SD cards) around, dumping images, etc.

If you’re interested in giving your feedback on a call to help improve Mender in this area, please let me know (DM me or email [contact@mender.io](mailto:contact@mender.io)). We offer a $50 Amazon gift card as a small token of appreciation for your time.

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### Author: ![eystein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e5b9ba/32.png) [@eystein](https://hub.mender.io/u/eystein)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273/2 "2019-11-21T18:21:59Z")

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If you’d rather provide comments here, I have attached some ideas. Let me know what you think!

 ![System%20update%20generation%20workflow%201%20-%20snapshot](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mender/original/1X/f320c5ab76b70953b04f5c8ff96af8154a44c960.png) ![System%20update%20generation%20workflow%202%20-%20rsync-snapshot](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mender/original/1X/bbcac4a3add66b964488ea40fc0e9e17035248ff.png) ![System%20update%20generation%20workflow%203%20-%20image%20modificatin](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mender/original/1X/9282a2d227cee510dac432e9e8f9fe65f94f5f7f.png) ![System%20update%20generation%20workflow%20-%20current](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/mender/original/1X/79385718e297d5f988e2785a1e1eae87018a34f3.png)

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### Author: ![shainert.israel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/hub.mender.io/shainert.israel/32/438_2.png) [@shainert.israel](https://hub.mender.io/u/shainert.israel)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273/3 "2019-11-26T15:48:30Z")

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Hi,  
To spare the SD card, you may try to mount additional storage and dd the image to it, then scp the file to your further handling.  
Another alternative, is to use compatible device with stronger CPU, RAM, etc. and do all the work on it.

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### Author: ![eystein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e5b9ba/32.png) [@eystein](https://hub.mender.io/u/eystein)
#### Post date: [November 26, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273/4 "2019-11-26T17:41:15Z")

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Hi @shainert.israel,

Thanks for the feedback!

For the first one, do you mean to mount additional storage on the device itself? Such as an USB dongle or network storage?

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### Author: ![shainert.israel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/hub.mender.io/shainert.israel/32/438_2.png) [@shainert.israel](https://hub.mender.io/u/shainert.israel)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2019, 11:49am UTC](https://hub.mender.io/t/feedback-requested-making-debian-system-update-generation-easier/1273/5 "2019-11-28T11:49:31Z")

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Yes. The type that will provide the best performance with dd.