Symantec 10024709 manual Limitations on the image file size, Size-limited image files

64Image file options

Image files and volume spanning

Limitations on the image file size

The default (and maximum) image file size is 2GB. However, by using size-limited, multisegment image files, you can take an image of a disk or partition that is larger than 2 GB.

Norton Ghost does support IDE drives larger than 128 GB. However, at the time of this printing, no operating system supports these large drives.

Size-limited image files

There are situations in which it is not practical to have a standard image file. Norton Ghost can split an image file into segments (known as spans) that are limited to a user-specified size. This option is most commonly used to limit span sizes to 620 MB for later transfer to a CD-ROM disc.

Spanned image files

Spanned image files are similar to size-limited image files. The difference is that each segment file (or span) of the image file is limited by the actual volume size of the media to which the image is being saved. This lets you specify a drive and file name and lets Norton Ghost determine when to request another volume or location for the remaining data. This is very useful when using ZIP, JAZ, LS120 Superdisk, CD-R/RW, and other drive types.

Spanning must be executed locally. If you try to span over a peer-to-peer connection (LPT, USB, TCP/IP), a disk full error message appears. However, size limiting can be used in all situations.

Norton Ghost also allows size limiting of spans when spanning volumes to ensure that no span exceeds the maximum size.

With all image files, the only constraint on the selection of the destination volume is that it must not be part of the source selection. For example, it cannot be on a source disk or partition if that disk or partition is to be included in the image.

The spanned files are named according to Microsoft application guidelines. For example:

■First file: Filename.gho

■Second file: Filen001.ghs

■Third file: Filen002.ghs