Option A: Using a Pre-Uploaded ISO When Creating a Server

A selection of public ISO images is available out of the box: installation media for Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS, pfSense, and utility ISOs (VirtIO drivers, Veeam Recovery).

1. Open your Virtual Data Center service and click Create Server
2. Choose a server type
3. Switch to the ISO tab and select the ISO you need
4. Configure resources (CPU, RAM, Disk) and network
5. Click Create Server
6. Once the server is created, open the Console from its Overview page and follow the OS installation wizard inside the ISO
7. After installation completes, open the ISO / CD-ROM card on the server’s Overview tab and click Return to disk

The server will unmount the ISO, restore the boot order, and reboot from the newly installed OS.

Option B: Uploading Your Own ISO

You can use any ISO image of your choice. Each account can store custom ISO images (the number of available slots is shown on the My Images page).

1. In the VDC navigation, open My Images, and in the My ISO section click Upload ISO
2. Fill in the form:
   • Label – any name to identify your ISO
   • Upload Method – choose File URL to provide a direct download link to the .iso file, or Upload file to upload from your computer
3. Click Submit and wait for the upload to complete
4. Once the ISO appears in the list with status ready, click Create Server
5. Switch to the Saved Images tab and select your uploaded ISO
6. Configure resources and click Create Server
7. Open the Console and install the OS from the ISO
8. After installation, open the ISO / CD-ROM card and click Return to disk

Note: when installing from a custom ISO, install QEMU Guest Agent inside the operating system. Without it, several features in your client portal (such as showing private network IPs and key/password reset) will not work. See the article on QEMU Guest Agent requirement for details.

Reinstalling OS on an Existing Server

You can boot any existing server from an ISO to reinstall or repair the operating system.

1. Open the server in your client portal: Services → Virtual Data Center → your VDC → select the server
2. On the Overview tab, open the ISO / CD-ROM card
3. Select an ISO from the dropdown
4. Click Boot From ISO – the server reboots from the selected ISO
5. Open the Console and perform the installation
6. After installation, open the ISO / CD-ROM card again and click Return to disk

Warning: Reinstalling the operating system erases all data on the disk. Create a backup first.

Tips

Mount Only. Use Mount Only in the ISO / CD-ROM card to attach an ISO as a CD-ROM without rebooting. This is useful for accessing drivers or additional software while the server is running.

One ISO at a time. Only one ISO can be mounted at a time. To switch ISO, eject the current one (Return to disk) and mount another.