How to choose images

[billwear]

Now that you’ve got your network configured, you’ll want to choose or build some images to deploy. This article catalogues all the explanations and how-to procedures related to images. You can search for big picture topics, or consult the images permuted index.

MAAS images: the big picture

If you’re feeling uncertain about your understanding of MAAS images and how they work, you can pause to learn:

• How images get deployed: This flowchart and accompanying description provides an excellent overview of both ephemeral and target images, and how customisations like curtin and cloud-init help you to tailor your deployments.
• About images: MAAS provides supported images for stable Ubuntu releases, CentOS 7, and CentOS 8.0. In this article, you can learn about boot sources and why they matter.
• About custom images: MAAS is much more useful when you can upload images that aren’t gathered from the MAAS image repository, deploy them to MAAS-managed machines, and count on them to work properly. This article explains how MAAS images differ from a standard ISO, and what has to happen to make those off-the-shelf ISOs deployable and usable by MAAS.

When you’re ready to start working with images, you can follow these procedures:

• How to import images: MAAS is only useful once it has images available to provision its nodes. Therefore, one key post-install task is to select and import images from the boot source. Once MAAS imports images, it will update them on an hourly basis, via a default sync mechanism. This page explains how to select and import the images that MAAS requires to provision its nodes.
• How to create custom images: MAAS supports deploying custom OS images. Canonical provides both lp:maas-image-builder and gh:canonical/packer-maas to support creating custom images. These custom images can include static Ubuntu images, created with whatever tool you choose, as well as other OS images.
• How to mirror images locally: Mirroring images is worthy of consideration. The SimpleStreams protocol delivers Images to MAAS, which is especially useful when your Internet link is slow or unreliable. In this mirrored configuration, images will be instantly available when MAAS requests them.
• How to manage VMWare images: MAAS 2.5 and above can deploy VMware ESXi as a custom image. MAAS cannot directly deploy the VMware ESXi ISO; you must create a specialised image from an official VMWare ISO. To automate the image creation process, Canonical hosts a repository with community-contributed packer templates.

Images permuted index

7 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a CentOS
a boot source	How to add
a boot source	How to delete
a boot source	How to edit
About boot sources and why they matter
About cloning VMWare images
About configuring deployed machine networking
About configuring deployed machine storage
About ESXi Hardware Support
About packer-created images
About packer dependencies
About packer
About packer templates
About static image metrics
About static Ubuntu images
About the candidate stream
About the candidate stream
About the default image username
About the features and limitations of VMWare images in MAAS
About the image installation process
About the prerequisites for creating a VMWare image
About the retired daily stream
About the retired daily stream
About the stable stream
About the stable stream
About transforming an ISO
About uploading hand-built Ubuntu images
About VMWare images and MAAS networking
About VMWare images and MAAS storage
a CentOS 7 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack
a custom Ubuntu image for MAAS	How to create
a custom Ubuntu image	Warnings on creating
add a boot source	How to
a local image mirror	How to use
a local mirror	How to set up
and limitations of VMWare images in MAAS	About the features
and MAAS networking	About VMWare images
and MAAS storage	About VMWare images
and provision non-Ubuntu images	How to import
and use packer images	How to create
and why they matter	About boot sources
an ESXi image for MAAS deployment	How to pack
an ISO	About transforming
an Ubuntu image for MAAS deployment	How to pack
a packer raw image	How to build
a proxy	How to build images via
aren’t supported	Why customised Ubuntu deployments
a RHEL7 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack
a RHEL8 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack
available images	How to list currently
a VMWare image	How to build
a VMWare image	About the prerequisites for creating
a VMWare image	How to upload
boot sources and why they matter	About
boot sources	How to list
boot source	How to add a
boot source	How to delete a
boot source	How to edit a
boot source	How to recreate the default
boots static Ubuntu images	How MAAS
build a packer raw image	How to
build a VMWare image	How to
Builder section
Builder	How to install MAAS Image
Builder to build MAAS images	How to use MAAS Image
build images via a proxy	How to
build MAAS images	How to
build MAAS images	How to use MAAS Image Builder to
build MAAS images	How to use packer to
candidate stream	About the
candidate stream	About the
CentOS 7 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a
CentOS images	How to create custom
change the stream with the CLI	How to
change the stream with the CLI	How to
change the stream with the UI	How to
change the stream with the UI	How to
CLI	How to change the stream with the
CLI	How to change the stream with the
cloning VMWare images	About
configuring deployed machine networking	About
configuring deployed machine storage	About
create a custom Ubuntu image for MAAS	How to
create and use packer images	How to
create custom CentOS images	How to
create custom RHEL images	How to
create other kinds of custom images	How to
create Windows images	How to
creating a custom Ubuntu image	Warnings on
creating a VMWare image	About the prerequisites for
currently available images	How to list
custom CentOS images	How to create
custom images	How to create other kinds of
customised Ubuntu deployments aren’t supported	Why
customise images	How to
customise VMWare images	How to
custom RHEL images	How to create
custom Ubuntu image for MAAS	How to create a
custom Ubuntu image	Warnings on creating a
daily stream	About the retired
daily stream	About the retired
(declaration section)	Variables
default boot source	How to recreate the
default image username	About the
delete a boot source	How to
dependencies	About packer
deployed machine networking	About configuring
deployed machine storage	About configuring
deployment requirements	How to verify packer
deployments aren’t supported	Why customised Ubuntu
deployment	How to pack a CentOS 7 image for MAAS
deployment	How to pack an ESXi image for MAAS
deployment	How to pack an Ubuntu image for MAAS
deployment	How to pack a RHEL7 image for MAAS
deployment	How to pack a RHEL8 image for MAAS
download images	How to use other image mirrors to
edit a boot source	How to
enablement (HWE)	Hardware
ESXi Hardware Support	About
ESXi image for MAAS deployment	How to pack an
features and limitations of VMWare images in MAAS	About the
for creating a VMWare image	About the prerequisites
for MAAS deployment	How to pack a CentOS 7 image
for MAAS deployment	How to pack an ESXi image
for MAAS deployment	How to pack an Ubuntu image
for MAAS deployment	How to pack a RHEL7 image
for MAAS deployment	How to pack a RHEL8 image
for MAAS	How to create a custom Ubuntu image
from maas.io	How to import standard images
hand-built Ubuntu images	About uploading
handles static Ubuntu images	How MAAS
Hardware enablement (HWE)
Hardware Support	About ESXi
How MAAS boots static Ubuntu images
How MAAS handles static Ubuntu images
How to add a boot source
How to build a packer raw image
How to build a VMWare image
How to build images via a proxy
How to build MAAS images
How to change the stream with the CLI
How to change the stream with the CLI
How to change the stream with the UI
How to change the stream with the UI
How to create a custom Ubuntu image for MAAS
How to create and use packer images
How to create custom CentOS images
How to create custom RHEL images
How to create other kinds of custom images
How to create Windows images
How to customise images
How to customise VMWare images
How to delete a boot source
How to edit a boot source
How to import and provision non-Ubuntu images
How to import newly-selected images
How to import standard images from maas.io
How to install MAAS Image Builder
How to install packer
How to list boot sources
How to list currently available images
How to list image selections
How to obtain templates
How to pack a CentOS 7 image for MAAS deployment
How to pack an ESXi image for MAAS deployment
How to pack an Ubuntu image for MAAS deployment
How to pack a RHEL7 image for MAAS deployment
How to pack a RHEL8 image for MAAS deployment
How to recreate the default boot source
How to select images
How to set up a local mirror
How to upload a VMWare image
How to upload packer images to MAAS
How to use a local image mirror
How to use MAAS Image Builder to build MAAS images
How to use MAAS image streams
How to use other image mirrors to download images
How to use packer to build MAAS images
How to verify packer deployment requirements
How to verify packer prequisites
(HWE)	Hardware enablement
Image Builder	How to install MAAS
Image Builder to build MAAS images	How to use MAAS
image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a CentOS 7
image for MAAS deployment	How to pack an ESXi
image for MAAS deployment	How to pack an Ubuntu
image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a RHEL7
image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a RHEL8
image for MAAS	How to create a custom Ubuntu
image installation process	About the
image metrics	About static
image mirrors to download images	How to use other
image mirror	How to use a local
images and MAAS networking	About VMWare
images and MAAS storage	About VMWare
image selections	How to list
images from maas.io	How to import standard
images in MAAS	About the features and limitations of VMWare
images	How MAAS boots static Ubuntu
images	How MAAS handles static Ubuntu
images	About packer-created
images	About static Ubuntu
images	About uploading hand-built Ubuntu
images	How to create custom CentOS
images	How to create custom RHEL
images	How to create Windows
images	How to build MAAS
images	How to create and use packer
images	How to customise
images	How to use MAAS Image Builder to build MAAS
images	How to use packer to build MAAS
images	How to create other kinds of custom
images	How to use other image mirrors to download
images	How to import newly-selected
images	How to list currently available
images	How to import and provision non-Ubuntu
images	How to select
images	How to customise VMWare
images	About cloning VMWare
images to MAAS	How to upload packer
image streams	How to use MAAS
images via a proxy	How to build
image	How to build a packer raw
image	Warnings on creating a custom Ubuntu
image	How to build a VMWare
image	About the prerequisites for creating a VMWare
image	How to upload a VMWare
image username	About the default
import and provision non-Ubuntu images	How to
import newly-selected images	How to
import standard images from maas.io	How to
in MAAS	About the features and limitations of VMWare images
installation process	About the image
install MAAS Image Builder	How to
install packer	How to
ISO	About transforming an
kinds of custom images	How to create other
limitations of VMWare images in MAAS	About the features and
list boot sources	How to
list currently available images	How to
list image selections	How to
local image mirror	How to use a
local mirror	How to set up a
MAAS boots static Ubuntu images	How
MAAS deployment	How to pack a CentOS 7 image for
MAAS deployment	How to pack an ESXi image for
MAAS deployment	How to pack an Ubuntu image for
MAAS deployment	How to pack a RHEL7 image for
MAAS deployment	How to pack a RHEL8 image for
MAAS handles static Ubuntu images	How
MAAS Image Builder	How to install
MAAS Image Builder to build MAAS images	How to use
MAAS images	How to build
MAAS images	How to use MAAS Image Builder to build
MAAS images	How to use packer to build
MAAS image streams	How to use
maas.io	How to import standard images from
MAAS networking	About VMWare images and
MAAS storage	About VMWare images and
MAAS	How to create a custom Ubuntu image for
MAAS	How to upload packer images to
MAAS	About the features and limitations of VMWare images in
machine networking	About configuring deployed
machine storage	About configuring deployed
matter	About boot sources and why they
metrics	About static image
mirrors to download images	How to use other image
mirror	How to use a local image
mirror	How to set up a local
networking	About configuring deployed machine
networking	About VMWare images and MAAS
newly-selected images	How to import
non-Ubuntu images	How to import and provision
obtain templates	How to
of custom images	How to create other kinds
of VMWare images in MAAS	About the features and limitations
on creating a custom Ubuntu image	Warnings
other image mirrors to download images	How to use
other kinds of custom images	How to create
pack a CentOS 7 image for MAAS deployment	How to
pack an ESXi image for MAAS deployment	How to
pack an Ubuntu image for MAAS deployment	How to
pack a RHEL7 image for MAAS deployment	How to
pack a RHEL8 image for MAAS deployment	How to
packer-created images	About
packer dependencies	About
packer deployment requirements	How to verify
packer images	How to create and use
packer images to MAAS	How to upload
packer prequisites	How to verify
packer raw image	How to build a
packer	About
packer templates	About
packer	How to install
packer to build MAAS images	How to use
Post-processing section
prequisites	How to verify packer
prerequisites for creating a VMWare image	About the
process	About the image installation
Provisioner section
provision non-Ubuntu images	How to import and
proxy	How to build images via a
raw image	How to build a packer
recreate the default boot source	How to
requirements	How to verify packer deployment
retired daily stream	About the
retired daily stream	About the
RHEL7 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a
RHEL8 image for MAAS deployment	How to pack a
RHEL images	How to create custom
section	Builder
section	Post-processing
section	Provisioner
section)	Variables (declaration
select images	How to
selections	How to list image
set up a local mirror	How to
sources and why they matter	About boot
sources	How to list boot
source	How to add a boot
source	How to delete a boot
source	How to edit a boot
source	How to recreate the default boot
stable stream	About the
stable stream	About the
standard images from maas.io	How to import
static image metrics	About
static Ubuntu images	How MAAS boots
static Ubuntu images	How MAAS handles
static Ubuntu images	About
storage	About configuring deployed machine
storage	About VMWare images and MAAS
streams	How to use MAAS image
stream	About the candidate
stream	About the retired daily
stream	About the stable
stream	About the candidate
stream	About the retired daily
stream	About the stable
stream with the CLI	How to change the
stream with the CLI	How to change the
stream with the UI	How to change the
stream with the UI	How to change the
supported	Why customised Ubuntu deployments aren’t
Support	About ESXi Hardware
templates	About packer
templates	How to obtain
the candidate stream	About
the candidate stream	About
the CLI	How to change the stream with
the CLI	How to change the stream with
the default boot source	How to recreate
the default image username	About
the features and limitations of VMWare images in MAAS	About
the image installation process	About
the prerequisites for creating a VMWare image	About
the retired daily stream	About
the retired daily stream	About
the stable stream	About
the stable stream	About
the stream with the CLI	How to change
the stream with the CLI	How to change
the stream with the UI	How to change
the stream with the UI	How to change
the UI	How to change the stream with
the UI	How to change the stream with
they matter	About boot sources and why
to add a boot source	How
to build a packer raw image	How
to build a VMWare image	How
to build images via a proxy	How
to build MAAS images	How
to build MAAS images	How to use MAAS Image Builder
to build MAAS images	How to use packer
to change the stream with the CLI	How
to change the stream with the CLI	How
to change the stream with the UI	How
to change the stream with the UI	How
to create a custom Ubuntu image for MAAS	How
to create and use packer images	How
to create custom CentOS images	How
to create custom RHEL images	How
to create other kinds of custom images	How
to create Windows images	How
to customise images	How
to customise VMWare images	How
to delete a boot source	How
to download images	How to use other image mirrors
to edit a boot source	How
to import and provision non-Ubuntu images	How
to import newly-selected images	How
to import standard images from maas.io	How
to install MAAS Image Builder	How
to install packer	How
to list boot sources	How
to list currently available images	How
to list image selections	How
to MAAS	How to upload packer images
to obtain templates	How
to pack a CentOS 7 image for MAAS deployment	How
to pack an ESXi image for MAAS deployment	How
to pack an Ubuntu image for MAAS deployment	How
to pack a RHEL7 image for MAAS deployment	How
to pack a RHEL8 image for MAAS deployment	How
to recreate the default boot source	How
to select images	How
to set up a local mirror	How
to upload a VMWare image	How
to upload packer images to MAAS	How
to use a local image mirror	How
to use MAAS Image Builder to build MAAS images	How
to use MAAS image streams	How
to use other image mirrors to download images	How
to use packer to build MAAS images	How
to verify packer deployment requirements	How
to verify packer prequisites	How
transforming an ISO	About
Ubuntu deployments aren’t supported	Why customised
Ubuntu image for MAAS deployment	How to pack an
Ubuntu image for MAAS	How to create a custom
Ubuntu images	How MAAS boots static
Ubuntu images	How MAAS handles static
Ubuntu images	About static
Ubuntu images	About uploading hand-built
Ubuntu image	Warnings on creating a custom
UI	How to change the stream with the
UI	How to change the stream with the
up a local mirror	How to set
upload a VMWare image	How to
uploading hand-built Ubuntu images	About
upload packer images to MAAS	How to
use a local image mirror	How to
use MAAS Image Builder to build MAAS images	How to
use MAAS image streams	How to
use other image mirrors to download images	How to
use packer images	How to create and
use packer to build MAAS images	How to
username	About the default image
Variables (declaration section)
verify packer deployment requirements	How to
verify packer prequisites	How to
via a proxy	How to build images
VMWare images and MAAS networking	About
VMWare images and MAAS storage	About
VMWare images in MAAS	About the features and limitations of
VMWare images	How to customise
VMWare images	About cloning
VMWare image	How to build a
VMWare image	About the prerequisites for creating a
VMWare image	How to upload a
Warnings on creating a custom Ubuntu image
Why customised Ubuntu deployments aren’t supported
why they matter	About boot sources and
Windows images	How to create
with the CLI	How to change the stream
with the CLI	How to change the stream
with the UI	How to change the stream
with the UI	How to change the stream