Help Center/ Image Management Service/ FAQs/ Image Sharing/ What Are the Differences Between Sharing Images and Replicating Images?
Updated on 2024-07-17 GMT+08:00
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What Are the Differences Between Sharing Images and Replicating Images?

  • Sharing images:

    You can only share images within a region with other users. To share an image across regions, replicate the image to the target region and then share it. For details, see Sharing Images.

  • Replicating images:
    • In-region: You can convert encrypted and unencrypted images into each other or enable some advanced features (such as fast ECS creation from an image) by replicating an image within a region.
    • Cross-region: If you need to deploy servers or back up data across regions, cross-region replication will be your choice. It can be used together with image sharing for cross-region, cross account image replication.
The following table describes the details.

Scenario

Operation

Description

Helpful Link

Sharing

Share

The image is shared with another user in the same region. The target user can use the image (with the same ID as the source image) but the image is still owned by the user who shared it.

Sharing Specified Images

In-region replication under the same account

Replicate

This is used for conversion between encrypted and unencrypted images or for enabling advanced features (such as fast ECS creation from an image).

Replicating Images Within a Region

Cross-region replication under the same account

Replicate

After the replication is complete, a new image is generated in the target region. The new image has a different ID from the source image.

Replicating Images Across Regions

Cross-region, cross-account replication

Replicate and share

Replicate the image to the target region and share it with other accounts.

Replicating Images Across Regions and Sharing Specified Images
Parent topic: Image Sharing