Create Glance Snapshot

Via Horizon Dashboard

  1. Navigate to Project → Compute → Instances.
  2. Locate the instance you want to snapshot.
  3. In the Actions column, click the dropdown menu next to the instance and select Create Snapshot.
  4. Enter a Snapshot Name and click Create Snapshot.
  5. The snapshot will appear under Project → Compute → Images.

Via CLI

openstack server image create <instance_id> --name <snapshot_name>
  • If the instance has attached volumes, corresponding Cinder volumes will be created.
  • If the instance was booted from a volume, the snapshot will show a size of 0 and contain only metadata.

Create Volume from Snapshot

If the instance was booted from a volume and you want to store the root disk in the image repository, first you need to create volume from snapshot:

Via Horizon Dashboard

  1. Go to Project → Compute → Volumes → Snapshots.
  2. Find the snapshot and select Create Volume from the action menu.
  3. Provide a name for the volume and confirm.

Via CLI

openstack volume create --snapshot <snapshot_id> <volume_name>

Uploading a Volume to Glance as an Image

Via Horizon Dashboard

  1. Navigate to Project → Compute → Volumes.
  2. Locate the desired volume, and in the Actions column, select Upload to Image.
  3. Provide an Image Name, choose a Disk Format, and click Upload.

Via CLI

openstack image create --volume <volume_id> <image_name>

Restoring an Instance from a Snapshot

Via Horizon Dashboard

  • Navigate to Project → Compute → Instances.
  • Click Launch Instance.
  • In the Source tab, select Image and choose the desired snapshot.
  • Complete the remaining fields (e.g., flavor, network) and click Launch Instance.

Via CLI

openstack server create --image <snapshot_id> --flavor <flavor_id> <new_instance_name>


Key Notes

  • Snapshots of instances booted from volumes will have 0 size in Glance and contain only metadata.
  • To store a root disk from a volume in Glance, you must first create a volume from the snapshot, then upload it to Glance as an image.
  • Glance snapshots and images are periodically backed up into a tape archive for long-term protection.


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