Hopefully someone can shed some light on this idea. Or explain something that kind of fits/fills the use case and need. I am looking for a basic operating system that can be updated across multiple devices like a living OS.
For instance I have a desktop PC high end specs with the same Operating System as a laptop or tablet but it's live sync. Meaning apps, files, changes made on one system are the same on all devices. I've looked at cloning drives and have done it. Far too slow and cumbersome.
This would be essentially changing devices based on hardware power requirements but having the same living operating system synced across all devices so all data and abilities remain the same anytime something is needed.
Maybe I'm being far fetched or what have you and this might possibly be in the wrong Sub. But I assumed it would fall under self hosted almost. Ive considered a NAS and I'm open to other ways to structure the concept ALL IDEAS WELCOME feel free to expand on it in any way. But dealing with different operating systems and architectures of various devices is wildly difficult sometimes for software, mobility, power requirements not watts but processing power, cross compatibility. I've seen apps that sync across devices but some desktop apps and mobile apps aren't cross compatible and with self hosting so many services that function well across networks and devices after years of uptime you sort of forget the configs of everything it's a nightmare when a single app update or container causes a domino affect. Thanks everyone hopefully this is helpful to others as well with similar needs.
Yeah. And the full root disk clone thing is honestly gonna be more trouble than value. Ensure the big-bang stuff is the same - packages, but even not perfect (as above) but just same-version where installed; and general settings - and then synch the homedir.
God help me, I'm thinking gluster between 2-3 machines, running a VM off that (big files so lock negot isn't an issue) and having it commandeer the local vid for gaming. It's doomed but it'll be fun ha ha learning ha ha.
There are exciting ways to ensure some settings and configs are kept the same, too, when they're outside that synched home space. Ansible if you like thunky 2002 tech, chef or salt for newer but overkill, or mgmtconfig if you want modern decentralized peer-to-peer reactive config management.
Perhaps this idea is way way overkill and a going to a consistent headache. I am trying to simplify between devices and data. This idea is looking like a labor of love and I'm more into using the tools for what they are rather than always tinkering and working. I'm at the age where shit just needs to work. Some sort of remote desktop, or NAS or a combo might be the better easier route.
I get that. I don't built machines anymore - time sink - and I don't rebuild my kernel, etc.
But the synch you're thinking quickly puts you into a tier higher than you may have time for. And a NAS gets you most of the way there as long as you understand and accept a failed NAS (or its OS, or a non-redundant disk setup) is going to hose your work everywhere instead of just on the one discrete machine you were using previously. You're trading one risk for another, and that may be a big deal.
Re-examine your goals, and be really sure to separate what needs to synch vs what doesn't (hint: user data synchs, most OS setup does not) and then see if you can carve out a decent solution with that. Maybe it's as simple as an eBayed refurb NAS and another offsite for backup.