.. _compute_inst_img_import_card:

Image: import
=============

.. important::

    The image import operation is **only** available :ref:`cloud/systems/gaia:GAIA`.

The import operation allows the upload of an image with ``.qcow2`` disk format to be automatically converted to a ``.raw`` disk format before being available to the project. Moreover, both the suggested metadata ``hw_qemu_guest_agent`` and ``os_require_quiesce`` are automatically set to ``yes`` and ``true``, respectively, and then applied during the operation.

.. important::

    The operation can **only** be performed via :ref:`OpenStack CLI <command_line_card>`.

First of all create an image and store its ID as follows:

.. code-block:: bash

    IMAGE_ID=$( \
      openstack image create \
      --disk-format qcow2 \
      --container-format bare \
      --property description="<description>"\
      --private \
      -f value \
      -c id \
      "<image_name>" \
      )

Then, import the desired image using the direct link to the .qcow2 or .img image file in the cloud image provider's repository.

.. code-block:: bash

    openstack image import --method=web-download --uri <image_url> $IMAGE_ID

The command will return almost istantaneously while the import operation is performed on the GAIA side.