---
name: power-iaas-creating-network-install-server
title: Setting up an IBM i network install server
description: IBM Power Virtual Server in [IBM data center]
last-updated: 2026-07-14
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/power-iaas?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Setting up an IBM i network install server
{: #preparing-install-server}

---



IBM Power Virtual Server in [IBM data center]{: tag-blue}


IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in [Client location]{: tag-red}


---

Before you can install or upgrade an IBM i system through the network, you must set up a network installation server. The network installation server contains images of the IBM i operating system, its internal code, licensed programs, and PTFs. To share virtual optical images through a network, the network installation server must meet the following requirements that are documented in the subsequent sections.

To learn more about the options available on upgrading the IBM i operating system, see [Performing IBM i Upgrades on Power Virtual Servers](https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/performing-ibm-i-upgrades-power-virtual-servers){: external}.

## Configuration
{: #ibmi-nw-server-config}

To complete the configuration of an IBM i network installation server, see [Virtual optical storage by using the Network File System](https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4?topic=storage-virtual-optical-using-network-file-system){: external} and [IBM i Network Install](http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpapers/pdfs/redp4937.pdf){: external}.



Cloud Optical Repository (COR) is a virtual image that can be deployed and used as a Network File Server (NFS) to complete various IBM i tasks that require media. This virtual optical image includes a collection of the media necessary for various IBM i tasks, for all supported IBM i releases. With the COR image deployed, a second Power Virtual Server Instance can be deployed on the same VLAN that is set up as the client and pointed to the COR (target) NFS Server Instance. For more information on COR images, see [Cloud Optical Repository](https://cloud.ibm.com/media/docs/downloads/power-iaas/Cloud_Optical_Repository.pdf){: external}.