Use the image library

The image library stores installer ISOs and qcow2 disk images. ISOs attach to CD-ROM drives, qcow2 images provide a disk template when creating a VM.

Set up the library #

1. Open Images under VMs and select Set up image library.
2. Choose a storage location. With ZFS, select New dataset, Existing dataset, or Other path. Without ZFS, enter the host Directory.
3. Optionally enable Enable network sharing and enter a Share name to expose the inbox over SMB.
4. Select Set up. Review any confirmation about an existing directory before proceeding.

Upload from the browser #

1. Select Upload, then Browse to choose an ISO or standalone qcow2 file.
2. Check the Name and select Upload.
3. Wait for the upload to complete. Progress appears in Jobs.

qcow2 images must be self-contained. Images that depend on backing files or separate data files are rejected.

Import through the inbox #

1. Copy an ISO or qcow2 image into the library’s SMB inbox share.
2. After the copy finishes, select Refresh in Inbox.
3. Select Import for the file, or Import all.

Copying a file into the inbox does not add it to the library until it is imported. Rejected files show the reason beside the entry.

Use an image #

• For an ISO, choose it under Installer ISO while creating a VM, or insert it into an existing CD-ROM drive.
• For a qcow2 image, choose it under Disk image while creating a VM. ZRS creates an independent copy in the selected storage pool.

The library image remains the template. Changes to the VM’s copied disk do not change it.