Abstract text

A method, system, and computer program product for implementing cloning operations in a distributed computing system are provided. The method includes preparing a database component of the system for a cloning operation. The preparation includes stopping activities occurring on the system except for the cloning operation, identifying current system state information from the database component and an application component of the system, and creating a self-contained system image of the database component that includes an image file of the database component and the current system state information. The method also includes restoring the system state of the application component by loading the self-contained system image on the database component, installing the image file of the database component on the database component, and updating the system state information on the database component and the application component from the self-contained system image, prior to restarting the system.