Custom OS installation
When you order a dedicated server, you can choose an operating system from the standard list. If you need a system or version that is not in the list, or a special disk layout, you can install it yourself from your own ISO image or ask support to do it.
Which option to choose
- New server: select Custom when ordering and install the OS yourself.
- Server you already use: mount your own ISO image through IP-KVM and reinstall the OS.
- Virtual Media is not available, or the installation does not work out: ask support to install the OS.
Ways to install a custom OS
- Choose your own OS when ordering. In the Software section of the server configurator, select Custom. The server is delivered without an OS, and you install the system yourself.
- Your own ISO image through IP-KVM. You mount the ISO image in the server's IP-KVM console and run the installer yourself, as on a physical machine. This works both for a new server delivered without an OS and for a server you already use. It gives you full control over partitioning, disk layout and drivers.
- Installation by support. Create a ticket, and our team installs the system for you.
Warning
Installing or reinstalling an operating system may erase data on the server disks. Back up anything you need before you start.
Before you begin
- Make sure the system supports the server hardware, especially the RAID controller and network card. Check the hardware in the Order parameters area of the Order Details page.
- Prepare the ISO image of the operating system you want to install.
- If you install Windows Server or another paid system, have your license key ready.
Installing from your own ISO image
- Open the server IP-KVM console. For details, see the Connecting to iDRAC KVM manual.
- Mount your ISO image as a virtual CD/DVD drive and reboot the server from it. The full steps are in the Virtual media manual.
- Go through the installer and configure the disks, partitions and other system settings as required.
- When the installation is finished, unmount the image and set the server to boot from the disk again.
Virtual Media availability depends on the data center:
| Data center | Virtual Media |
|---|---|
| DC2, DC3 | Available |
| DC4 | Available on standard offers, not on budget solutions |
| DC7 | Available,sIPMIsaccesssissprovidedsonsrequest |
| DC1 | Not available directly, support mounts the image on request |
Installation by support
If you cannot install the system yourself, or Virtual Media is not available for your server, create a support ticket. Installation by support is free of charge. Include:
- the operating system and version, or a direct download link to the ISO image;
- the disk layout and RAID level you need;
- confirmation that all data on the server can be erased.
After installation
- Configure the network using the IP address, netmask and gateway shown on the Network tab of your order. Without these settings the server will not be reachable.
- Log in and change the password.
- Install system updates and configure the firewall.
- Check that the server is reachable at its IP address.
