---
name: vpc-creating-and-using-an-image-from-volume
title: Creating a custom image from volume and provisioning an instance in the console
description: This tutorial demonstrates how to create a custom image from the boot volume of a virtual server instance, and then use that image to create an instance.
last-updated: 2026-08-14
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?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.

# Creating a custom image from volume and provisioning an instance in the console
{: #creating-and-using-an-image-from-volume}
{: toc-content-type="tutorial"}
{: toc-completion-time="15m"}

This tutorial demonstrates how to create a custom image from the boot volume of a virtual server instance, and then use that image to create an instance.
{: shortdesc}

## Before you begin
{: #before-you-begin-create-image}

This tutorial requires the following prerequisites.

- An IBM Cloud billable account.
- An IBM Cloud [VPC](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-getting-started&format=markdown).
- An IBM Cloud [SSH key](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-ssh-keys&format=markdown).
- An IBM Cloud [virtual server instance](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-creating-virtual-servers&format=markdown).

## Objectives
{: #objectives}

- Create a resource group, *Image resources*.
- Create a custom image from an instances' boot volume.
- Create a new virtual server instance by using the custom image.

## Creating a resource group
{: #creating-a-resource-group}
{: step}

You can use [resource groups](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-iam-getting-started&interface=ui&format=markdown#iam-resource-groups) to organize images.

1. Log in to the [IBM Cloud console](https://cloud.ibm.com/login){: external}.
2. Click **Manage** > **Account**.
3. From the *Account* page, click **Resource groups** > **Create**.
4. Give the resource group a unique name such as *Image resources*.
5. Click **Add**.

## Creating an image from a volume in the console
{: #image-from-volume-vpc-ui}
{: step}

You can use the UI to create an image from a volume that is attached to an available virtual server instance as the primary boot volume.

### Choose the source for your custom image
{: #import-custom-image-source-UI}

Complete the following actions to import your custom image in the console.

1. In [IBM Cloud console](https://cloud.ibm.com/login){: external}, go to **Navigation menu** icon ![menu icon](../icons/icon_hamburger.svg) **> Infrastructure** ![VPC icon](../../icons/vpc.svg) **> Compute > Images**.
2. On the **Custom images** tab, click **Create**. The Custom image provision page is displayed.
3. Complete the following required fields on the Custom image provision page.

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Name | custom-image |
| Resource group | Default |
| Tags | env:prod |
| Region | Dallas |
| Source | Virtual server instance boot volume (default) |
{: caption="Custom image provision user interface fields" caption-side="bottom"}

### Create an image from a virtual server instance boot volume
{: #import-custom-boot-image-vsi}

When you select **Virtual server instance boot volume** as the source of your custom image, a list of instances is displayed. Complete the following actions to create an image from the instance's boot volume.

1. On the **Custom image provision** page, select **Virtual server instance boot volume** (default).
2. Select an instance from the list. You're selecting the boot volume of the instance.
3. Make sure that the instance is not running. You can stop a running instance by clicking the **Actions** icon ![Actions icon](../icons/action-menu-icon.svg "Actions") and selecting **Stop**.
4. Select IBM-managed encryption as the encryption type.
5. On the side panel, click **Create custom image**.

## Creating virtual server instances in the console
{: #creating-virtual-servers-ifv}
{: step}

You can create virtual server instances in your IBM Cloud VPC in the IBM Cloud console. Complete the following actions to create a virtual server instance.

1. In the [IBM Cloud console](https://cloud.ibm.com/login){: external}, go to **Navigation menu** icon ![menu icon](../icons/icon_hamburger.svg) **> Infrastructure** ![VPC icon](../../icons/vpc.svg) **> Compute > Virtual server instances**.

2. Click **Create** and enter the required information.

   | Field | Value |
   |-------|-------|
   | Name  | server-instance |
   | Resource group | Default |
   | Tags | env:prod |
   | Location | Dallas |
   | Type of virtual server | Public |
   | Operating system | Select **Custom image** > (custom image). |
   | SSH key | An existing SSH key \n For more information, see [SSH keys](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-ssh-keys&format=markdown). |
   | Data volumes | Add one or more secondary data volumes to be included when you provision the instance. \n For more information about provisioning the volume, see [Create and attach a Block Storage volume when you create an instance](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-creating-block-storage&format=markdown#create-from-vsi). |
   | Networking | Select your pre-existing VPC |
   {: caption="Instance provisioning selections" caption-side="bottom"}

3. Click **Create virtual server instance** when you are ready to provision.

## Related content
{: #related-content}

* [About creating an image from a volume](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-image-from-volume-vpc&format=markdown)
* [Creating an image from a volume](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-create-ifv&format=markdown)
* [Viewing and using your custom image](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-create-ifv&format=markdown#ifv-image-creation-completed)
* [resource group](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-account_setup&format=markdown)
* [Best practices for organizing resources and assigning access](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-account_setup&format=markdown)