Help Center> Image Management Service> FAQs> Image Consulting> How Do I Select an Image?
Updated on 2022-12-09 GMT+08:00
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How Do I Select an Image?

When creating an ECS or BMS, you can select an image based on the following factors:

Region and AZ

An image is a regional resource. You cannot use an image to create an instance in a different region. For example, when creating an instance in region A, you can only select an image that is already in region A. For more regions, see Region and AZ.

If you want to use an image in another region to create an instance, copy the image to the current region first. For details, see Replicating Images Across Regions.

Image Type

Images are classified into public, private, Marketplace, and shared images.

Table 1 Image types

Image Type

Description

Availability/Security

Billing

Public image

A public image is a standard, widely used image. It contains an OS and preinstalled public applications and is available to all users. Public images are very stable and their OS and any included software have been officially authorized for use.

High

Free

Marketplace image

The Marketplace is an online store where you can purchase third-party images that have the OS, application environments, and software preinstalled. You can use these images to deploy websites and application development environments in just a few clicks. No additional configuration is required.

Medium high

Free/Charged

Private image

A private image contains an OS or service data, preinstalled public applications, and a user's personal applications. Private images are only available to the users who created them.

Medium

Free

Shared image

A shared image is a private image another user has shared with you.

Low

Free

You can select an image as follows:

  • If you only need an OS, select a public image.
  • If you need a complete software environment, such as a Magento e-commerce system, select a Marketplace image.
  • If you want to clone an existing ECS, select a private image.
  • If you want to use an image shared by others, select a shared image.

Image Fee

You may be billed for using an image. For details, see What Are the Billing Standards of IMS?

OS

When selecting an OS, consider the following factors:

  • Architecture types

    System Architecture

    Applicable Memory

    Constraints

    32-bit

    Smaller than 4 GB
    • If the instance memory is greater than 4 GB, a 32-bit OS cannot be used.
    • A 32-bit OS only allows addressing within a 4 GB memory range. An OS with more than 4 GB memory cannot be accessed.

    64-bit

    4 GB or larger

    If your application requires more than 4 GB of memory or the memory may need to be expanded to more than 4 GB, use a 64-bit OS.
  • OS types

    OS Type

    Applicable Scenario

    Constraints

    Windows
    • Programs developed for Windows (for example, .NET).
    • Databases such as SQL Server. (You need to install the database.)

    The system disk must be at least 40 GB, and there must be at least 1 GB of memory.

    Linux
    • High-performance server applications (for example, Web) and working with common programming languages such as PHP and Python.
    • Databases such as MySQL. (You need to install the database.)

    The system disk must be at least 40 GB, and there must be at least 512 MB of memory.
Parent topic: Image Consulting

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