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 environments, allowing you to launch new instances without repeated setup.
Usage notes
A custom image enters the Available state after creation or import. You can use the image to create instances, share it with other Alibaba Cloud accounts, export it to an Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket, or delete it when no longer needed.
To create a custom image, first customize an ENS instance by installing software and deploying your application environment. Then create an image from that instance. All new instances launched from this image inherit the same configurations, eliminating repeated setup.
Create a custom image from an instance
The method supports the following instance types: x86-based computing instances, x86-based physical machines, x86-based bare metal instances, Arm-based computing instances, heterogeneous VMs, and heterogeneous bare metal instances.
An ENS instance is available. For more information, see Create an instance.
Remove all sensitive data from the instance to prevent data security risks.
Stop the instance. The instance must be in the Stopped state before you create an image.
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 the image is created, it appears on the Custom Images tab with the status usable.
Create a custom image by using an image builder
The create a custom image by using an image builder method supports only x86 images.
Parameters in the Advanced Options section are optional. To verify data disk mounting and partitioning, expand Advanced Options, specify the data disk size, and then mount the data disk during image creation.
Stop the image builder before uploading the image. The image builder must be in the Stopped state.
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.
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, stop the image builder, and then click Upload Image. After the upload is complete, click Release Builder to release the builder resources.
What to do next
After the custom image is created, you can:
Use the custom image to create new ENS instances. Navigate to Resources and Images > Instances, and select the custom image when creating an instance.
Share the custom image with other Alibaba Cloud accounts.
Export the custom image to an OSS bucket for backup or cross-region use.