ddKommando

ddKommando is a term used primarily in German-language computing discussions to refer to a set of dd command–based operations. It is not an official software project; rather, ddKommando denotes the practice of using the Unix dd utility to perform block-level data copying, imaging, and conversion tasks. The term combines dd, the standard disk duplication tool, with Kommando, meaning command, signaling its use as a scripted workflow or routine.

Overview and usage context: dd reads from an input file or device and writes to an output file or device, applying optional conversions and block sizes. A typical ddKommando workflow divides tasks into image creation, verification, and restoration. It is commonly used in data backup, forensics, and disaster recovery to create exact copies of disks or partitions and to restore them later.

Typical commands and variants: Common invocations include creating a disk image, for example dd if=/dev/sda of=/path/to/image.img bs=4M status=progress; verifying integrity with checksums; and writing back a image to a device, such as dd if=/path/to/image.img of=/dev/sda bs=4M conv=fsync. Other options, such as skip, seek, and conv=notrunc, tailor the operation for partial copies or special needs. The status=progress option is often used to provide feedback during long operations.

Safety and limitations: dd operates at a low level and can overwrite data if misused. Correct device identification, careful command construction, and optional use of a live-boot environment or read-only sources are important practices. ddKommando remains a descriptive label rather than a standardized protocol, and its exact scripts vary by user and context. Related topics include dd (Unix), disk imaging, digital forensics, and data recovery.