What Is Image?
Image is a template for CVM software configuration (operating system, pre-installed programs, etc.), which provides all the information required to start a CVM instance. An image provides all the information required to start a Cloud Virtual Machine instance. Requires users to start instances through images. The image can start multiple instances for users to use repeatedly. In layman's terms, an image is the installation disk of Cloud Virtual Machine.
Image Type
The images include the following types.
- Public Image: Available to all users, covering most mainstream operating systems.
- Custom Image: Only available to creators and shared objects, created from an existing running instance or imported from outside.
- Shared Image: Images shared by other users can only be used to create instances.
Image Deployment vs Manual Deployment
| Image Deployment | Manual Deployment | |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment Time | 3 to 5 minutes | 1 day - 2 days |
| Deployment Process | Quickly create a suitable CVM based on the used solutions. | Select the appropriate operating system, database, application software, plugins, etc., and install and debug them. |
| Security | Except for shared images, which require users to identify their sources, other public images and custom images have been tested and reviewed. | Depends on the level of development and deployment personnel. |
| Usage | Public Image: genuine operating system, including the initialization components provided by Converge Cloud. Custom Image: Quickly create the same software environment as an existing CVM or back up the environment. Shared Images: Quickly create the same software environment as other users' existing CVMs. |
Completely self-configured, with no basic settings required. |
Image Application
- Deployment of Specific Software Environment
Using shared images or custom images can help quickly set up specific software environments, eliminating the tedious and time-consuming tasks of self-configuring environments and installing software. They can also meet various personalized needs such as website building, application development, and visualization management, making CVMs "ready to use" immediately, saving time, and providing convenience. - Batch Deployment of Software Environment
By creating an image for a CVM instance with a deployed environment, and then using the image as the operating system when creating CVM instances in batches, the CVM instance will have the same software environment as the previous CVM instances after it is successfully created, thereby achieving the purpose of batch deployment of software environments. - Server Operating Environment Backup
Create an image backup of the operating environment for a CVM instance.
If the CVM instance cannot run normally due to software environment damage during use, you can use image recovery.
Image Lifecycle
The following diagram summarizes the lifecycle of a custom image. After creating or importing a new custom image, users can use it to launch new instances (users can also launch instances from existing public images). Custom images can be copied to other regions of the same account and become independent images in that region. Users can also share custom images with other users.