Create a custom image from an existing ENS instance or by using an image builder. Custom images capture your instance configurations, installed software, and deployed environment, so new instances launched from the image are ready to use without repeated setup.
After creation or import, a custom image enters the Available state. From there, use it to create instances, share it with other Alibaba Cloud accounts, export it to an Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket, or delete it when it is no longer needed.
How it works
The typical workflow for creating and reusing a custom image:
Prepare an instance — Install software and deploy your application environment on an ENS instance.
Create a custom image — Capture the instance as a custom image using one of the two methods described in this topic.
Launch new instances — Use the custom image to create new instances that inherit the same configuration.
Supported instance types
The two methods support different instance types:
| Method | Supported instance types |
|---|---|
| Create from instance | x86-based computing instances, x86-based physical machines, x86-based bare metal instances, Arm-based computing instances, heterogeneous VMs, heterogeneous bare metal instances |
| Create using image builder | x86 instances only |
Create a custom image from an instance
This method captures a stopped ENS instance as a custom image.
Before you begin
Make sure that you have:
An ENS instance. For details, see Create an instance.
Removed all sensitive data from the instance to prevent data security risks.
Stopped the instance. The instance must be in the Stopped state before you create an image. Stopping the instance ensures that all data on disk is in a consistent state at the time of capture. For a production instance, schedule this operation during a maintenance window to minimize service impact.
Procedure
Log on to the ENS console.
In the left-side navigation pane, choose Resources and Images > Instances.
On the Instances page, find the target instance. Click the
icon in the Actions column and select Create Image.In the Create Image dialog box, enter a name in the Image Name field.
Click OK.
The system begins creating the image. After creation is complete, the image appears on the Custom Images tab with the status usable.
Create a custom image by using an image builder
This method provisions a temporary image builder instance, lets you install software on it over SSH, and then captures it as a custom image. It supports x86 images only.
Before you begin
Make sure that you have:
Planned your software installation and application environment setup.
(Optional) Decided on the data disk size if you need to verify data disk mounting and partitioning during image creation.
Procedure
Log on to the ENS console.
In the left-side navigation pane, choose Resources and Images > Images.
On the Image Builder tab, click Create Image.
(Optional) In the Advanced Options section, specify the data disk size to verify data disk mounting and partitioning during image creation.
Click OK. An image builder is created.
On the Image Builder tab, note the IP address of the image builder. Connect to the image builder over SSH and deploy your software and application environment.
After deployment is complete, stop the image builder. The image builder must be in the Stopped state before you proceed.
Stopping the image builder ensures that all data is in a consistent state before the image is captured.
Click Upload Image. After the upload is complete, click Release Builder to release the builder resources.
What's next
After the custom image is created:
Create instances — Navigate to Resources and Images > Instances and select the custom image when creating a new instance.
Share the image — Share the custom image with other Alibaba Cloud accounts.
Export the image — Export the custom image to an OSS bucket for backup or cross-region use.