> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.edbb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Upload a Custom ISO Image

> EDBB lets you mount your own ISO images—install custom OS builds, appliances, or bare-metal backups directly from the Control Panel.

## Bring Your Own ISO

<Info>
  Uploading a custom ISO lets you boot recovery toolkits, bespoke installers, or
  legacy operating systems that are not part of the EDBB library. The upload is
  temporary—plan to install or capture data within the retention window.
</Info>

***

## Quick Health Check

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="🌐 Direct Download Link">
    Host the ISO on a public HTTP/HTTPS URL without authentication, captchas, or
    one-time tokens. Object storage with static links works best.
  </Card>

  <Card title="🕒 Maintenance Window">
    The VPS reboots when the ISO is mounted. Schedule a maintenance slot so users
    aren’t surprised by downtime.
  </Card>

  <Card title="🖥️ Console Access">
    Keep the portal console (or your VNC client) ready—you’ll need it to interact
    with the installer once the VPS boots from the image.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Upload the ISO to the Control Panel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Installation → Custom Image">
    Sign in to the <a href="https://my.edbb.com/clientarea.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">EDBB Control Panel</a>, open your VPS, and switch to <strong>Installation</strong>. Choose the <strong>Custom Image</strong> tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the ISO URL">
    Select <strong>Download ISO</strong>, paste the direct link (for example, <code>[https://cdn.example.com/os/custom.iso](https://cdn.example.com/os/custom.iso)</code>), and confirm.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the transfer">
    The Control Panel downloads the file into your account. Leave the page open until the status changes to <strong>Ready</strong>.

    <div style={{marginTop: "16px"}}>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/6MSQb3s7ohtG7kzq/assets/vps-mount-iso-co.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6MSQb3s7ohtG7kzq&q=85&s=1069e63e6d001d69b4472c5ccf002cc2" alt="Custom ISO download in the Installation tab" style={{width: "100%", maxWidth: "820px", borderRadius: "16px", border: "1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.08)"}} width="1446" height="1136" data-path="assets/vps-mount-iso-co.png" />
    </div>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="info">
  Completed uploads receive an internal filename such as <code>xxxx/iso/KVM\_custom\_12345.iso</code>. Jot this down—you will select it in the mounting step.
</Callout>

***

## Mount and Boot the ISO

<Steps>
  <Step title="Switch to ISO Boot">
    Stay on the <strong>Installation</strong> view and open the <strong>ISO Boot</strong> sub-tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your custom file">
    Pick the uploaded ISO from the dropdown list and enable <strong>Force reset & boot from the selected ISO</strong>.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Mount & follow the installer">
    Click <strong>Mount ISO</strong>. The VPS reboots into the image—use the console to work through the installer or recovery environment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Need a refresher on console controls or unmounting? Review the <a href="./mount-iso-image">Mount ISO</a> guide.

***

## Retention - Cleanup

* Custom ISOs stay available for **24 hours**. Re-upload them if you need another session later.
* For sensitive media, remove the ISO manually once you finish the installation.
* Keep local copies—expired files are purged automatically and cannot be restored.

<Callout type="warning">
  Downloads that fail usually indicate an inaccessible URL. Verify the link by
  running <code>curl -I \<your-link></code> from an external network and ensure
  it returns HTTP 200 without redirects.
</Callout>