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 Add new server
2. Choose a cluster
3. Switch to the ISO Images tab and select the ISO you need
4. Configure resources (CPU, RAM, Disk) and network
5. Click Create new Virtual Machine
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 Image panel in the Actions bar 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 up to 3 custom ISO images.

1. In the VDC navigation, open My Images
2. On the ISO Images sub-tab, click Upload ISO
3. 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
4. Click Submit and wait for the upload to complete
5. Once the ISO appears in the list with status ready, click Add new server
6. Switch to the My Images tab and select your uploaded ISO
7. Configure resources and click Create new Virtual Machine
8. Open the Console and install the OS from the ISO
9. After installation, open the ISO Image panel 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, click ISO Image in the Actions bar
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 Image panel 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 Image panel to attach an ISO as a CD-ROM without rebooting. This is useful for accessing drivers or additional software while the server is running.

Multiple CD-ROM drives. If you need a second CD-ROM drive (for example to access the VirtIO drivers ISO during a Windows install from another ISO), open the ISO Image panel and click the + button to add an additional ISO.