Using the snapshot import/export feature from the Scaleway console

The snapshot transfer feature allows you to export or import Instance snapshots. Snapshots are created using the QCOW2 format and stored in a Scaleway Object Storage Bucket.

A snapshot stored in a Scaleway Object Storage bucket can be imported into any Availability Zone (AZ), as long as it is in the same region as the bucket. This allows you to create Instances in different AZs within the same region. For example, you can deploy Instances in fr-par-2 based on the snapshot exported from an Instance in fr-par-1.

More information on the QCOW2 file format and how to use it can be found in the QEMU documentation.

Before you start

To complete the actions presented below, you must have:

• A Scaleway account logged into the console
• Owner status or IAM permissions allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization
• A valid API key
• An Instance using Block Storage volumes
• An Object Storage bucket

Creating a snapshot from your existing Instance

1. Click the Instances section of the Scaleway console, then click the Snapshots tab.

2. Click + Create snapshot. The snapshot creation wizard appears. Enter a name and select the volume to snapshot. Then click Create snapshot. The snapshot is created, and the list of all your snapshots displays.

3. Click «See more Icon» next to the relevant snapshot, and select Copy to bucket. A pop-up displays. Enter the file name for your exported snapshot copy and select the destination bucket. Then click Copy snapshot to bucket.

Importing the snapshot into the destination AZ

1. Click the Object Storage section of the Scaleway console, then click the bucket to which you have exported the snapshot. The snapshot copy should display in the list of your objects.
   Note

   Depending on the size of your snapshot, the export to Object Storage may take some time. It is ready once the status indicator changes to green.

2. Click «See more Icon» next to the snapshot copy, then click Import as snapshot. A pop-up will appear. Enter the name of the snapshot, select the destination AZ, and choose the snapshot type. The type can be either Local SSD or Block SSD. Click Import file as snapshot to import the snapshot into the destination AZ.
   Important

   • Ensure that the QCOW / QCOW2 image file you want to import uses the file extension .qcow or .qcow2 to avoid issues during import.
   • Imported snapshots must have a volume size between 1 GB and 1 TB.

Creating Instances from the imported snapshot

1. Click the Instances section of the Scaleway console, then click +Create Instance.
2. Select the Availability Zone into which you have imported the snapshot and the desired Instance type. Under Choose an image, click My snapshots to select the imported snapshot.
3. Optionally, add additional volumes, enter a name and optional tags. Once your configuration is complete, click Create Instance to launch the Instance creation process.

You can now connect to your new Instance using SSH. It will have the same software configuration as the source Instance.