You can create a custom image from a snapshot that contains the operating system and data of an ECS instance. Then, you can use the custom image to create multiple identical instances.

Prerequisites

A system disk snapshot is created. For more information, see Create a normal snapshot.

Background information

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Before you create custom images from snapshots, take note of the following points:
  • Notes on snapshots used to create custom images:
    • A custom image can be created from a system disk snapshot or from a system disk snapshot and one or more data disk snapshots. Data disk snapshots alone cannot be used to create custom images.
    • Both encrypted and unencrypted snapshots can be used to create custom images.
    • If the ECS instance from which a snapshot was created expires or is released, the custom image created from the snapshot and the ECS instance created from the image are not affected.
  • Notes on custom images:
    • Custom images cannot be used across regions. However, you can copy custom images from one region to another for later use. For more information, see Copy custom images.
    • Custom images are independent of the billing methods of the ECS instances from which the custom images were created. For example, custom images created from subscription ECS instances can be used to create pay-as-you-go instances.
  • Notes on ECS instances created from custom images:
  • Recommendations for data security:

Procedure

  1. Log on to the ECS console.
  2. Use one of the following methods to find the system disk snapshot from which you want to create a custom image:
    • On the Instances page
      1. In the left-side navigation pane, choose Instances & Images > Instances.
      2. In the top navigation bar, select a region.
      3. Find the target instance. Click the instance ID or click Manage in the Actions column to go to the Instance Details page.
      4. In the left-side navigation pane, click Snapshots. Find the target snapshot whose Disk Type(All) is System Disk. Click Create Custom Image in the Actions column.
    • On the Snapshots page
      1. In the left-side navigation pane, choose Storage & Snapshots > Snapshots.
      2. In the top navigation bar, select a region.
      3. Find the target snapshot whose Disk Type(All) is System Disk. Click Create Custom Image in the Actions column.snapshot_systemdisk
  3. In the Create Custom Image dialog box that appears, configure the following parameters.
    Parameter Description Reference
    System Snapshot ID The snapshot must be a system disk snapshot. N/A
    Custom Image Name and Custom Image Description Enter a name and description for the custom image to be created. N/A
    Add Data Disk Snapshot Optional. Select Add Data Disk Snapshot, click Add, and then select the ID of a data disk snapshot.
    • If you do not select the ID of any data disk snapshot, an empty data disk is created with a default capacity of 5 GiB.
    • If you select the ID of a data disk snapshot, the resulting disk capacity is the same as the snapshot size.
    		Snapshot overview
    Tag Select a tag.
    • Optional: In most scenarios, the tag is optional.
    • Required: When you log on as a RAM user bound with an authorization policy that requires tags, you must specify a tag. Otherwise, an error is reported, indicating insufficient permissions.
    		Create a resource with a specific tag
    create_custom_image
  4. Click Create.

What to do next

After the custom image is created, you can perform the following operations: