Mounting an ISO to an Instance

Mounting an ISO file means accessing its contents just like accessing the contents of a software CD in the drive of a computer. Downloaded software comes in the form of an ISO image. Mounting it will be faster and easier than recording it on a physical disc.

How To Upload an ISO Image

Note: To make full use of this article, you must log in to the Hostwinds Client Area. Additionally, this article outlines an essential section in your Cloud Control portal. Click on the Cloud Control dropdown on the top of the Client portal dashboard menu and click on the Cloud Portal link.

If you already own a VPS and want to upload your ISO, Hostwinds makes this easy to do in your Cloud Portal. Follow the steps outlined below to upload an ISO that can create new a server or reinstall a prior server.

Adding An ISO File To Your Cloud Portal

To get started, click on the Storage dropdown button, and then on the second link down, click the ISO's link. You will then move on to the ISO Page that shows two tables: Your ISOs and the second containing Your Attached ISOs. If you do not have any ISOs, you can click on the blue Upload ISO button to start an upload.

Upload an ISO from a URL of your choice. A pop-up appears allowing you to configure the settings described next.

• Description: The Name of the ISO file.
• URL: This is the direct download URL to access the ISO file. Hostwinds will use this to import the ISO file for use.
• Bootable: This is a toggle-able option determining if the ISO file can boot with a Cloud VPS.
• Location: This is the data center location where the ISO file will be stored. The exact location as the VPS, either being reinstalled with the ISO or newly created with the ISO.

Once you've completed filling out the necessary options for your ISO file, click on the blue Add ISO button. The process begins to start the upload, and a message will appear to indicate that the import process has begun. It may take a few moments while it imports into Hostwinds' system, which depends on the file size of the ISO file.

Once complete, you should see the ISO listed on the page in your table, and from there, you will be able to note the following:

• Name: The name you have given your ISO. By default, it is the OS and the server combined.
• Status: This shows the status of the ISO in its current state.
• Server: A description of the server the ISO is connecting with.
• Device: The type of storage the ISO is emulating.
• Size: Amount of data comprising the ISO
• Created: The month, day, and year of the ISO uploading or creation in addition to the time.
• Actions dropdown: Provides the ability to detach the ISO.

After the import process is complete, the ISO instance will appear on the ISO's page. From here, you can change whether the ISO is bootable or delete the ISO file. In addition, setting the Status of the ISO to active will make it able to be selected during a re-installation of a Cloud VPS in the ISOs tab.