Every VM is built from either a template (a pre-installed, bootable disk image) or an ISO (an installer disc image you boot and install from manually). This page covers working with both.
Templates
Templates are the fastest way to get a VM running - the OS is already installed and configured, so the VM boots ready to use. Lightspeed Cloud provides a library of common Linux distributions and Windows templates; you can also bring your own.
Uploading a template
You can create a template from:
- A local file on your computer, uploaded directly through the portal
- A URL pointing to an image hosted on an HTTP(S) server
- An existing volume or VM snapshot in your account, which you can convert into a reusable template
When uploading, you'll specify the OS type, whether the template requires HVM or PV mode support, and whether it's password-enabled/dynamically scalable, so the platform configures new VMs from it correctly.
Marking a template password-enabled means it has the guest agent script installed (cloud-set-guest-password on Linux, or the equivalent Windows agent) that lets the platform set a temporary root/admin password on first boot, shown to you once in the portal - handy for templates that don't rely on SSH keys alone.
Sharing templates
Every template has a visibility level that controls who can see and deploy from it: Private (only your account), Shared (specific accounts or projects you choose), Featured (Lightspeed-provided templates available to everyone), and Community (published more broadly for reuse). Templates you upload default to Private - if you're working within a project or have multiple accounts, share it so others can deploy VMs from it without needing their own copy.
Exporting a template
Templates can be exported back out as a downloadable disk image - handy if you want to keep an offline copy or move a build to another environment.
ISOs
ISOs are useful when you need to run an installer yourself - for OSes without a ready-made template, or when you need a custom install process (specific partitioning, an unattended answer file, etc.).
Uploading an ISO
Like templates, ISOs can be uploaded from a local file or a remote HTTP(S) URL. Once uploaded, mark it as bootable if it's a full OS installer.
Attaching an ISO to a VM
You can attach an ISO to a running or stopped VM as a virtual CD/DVD drive. To install an OS from scratch, deploy a blank VM (using a minimal template or the "no template" option where available), attach your installer ISO, boot, and run through the installation as you would on physical hardware. Once installed, detach the ISO so the VM boots from its disk on subsequent restarts.
Supported guest operating systems
Lightspeed Cloud supports a wide range of Linux distributions and Windows Server/desktop versions. If you're bringing your own template, make sure you select the closest matching guest OS type during upload - this affects which virtual hardware and drivers the platform presents to the VM, which can be important for performance and compatibility.