Overview
The Image Import API provides advanced upload mechanisms beyond the basic PUT endpoint. Web download allows server-side fetching directly from a URL — no local staging needed. Chunked upload supports resumable large-image transfers. Both methods are available to users, but administrators configure the allowed import methods and staging area at the platform level.Allowed Import Methods
Configure which import methods are available to users via the deployment console globals:Enable import methods
Web Download Import
The web download method imports images directly from a public URL. The Image Service downloads the file server-side — no local disk space required on the client.Create the image record
Create image record for web-download
id from the output.Trigger the import
Import from Ubuntu cloud images
Monitor import progress
Poll import status
Status transitions from
importing to active when complete.Chunked Upload (Glance Direct)
Chunked upload allows large images to be uploaded in parts, with the ability to resume if the connection is interrupted.Create the image record
Create image record
id.Stage data to the import queue
Stage image data via the v2 import API. The staging area is temporary and managed
by the Image Service:
Stage image data
Trigger import from staging
Import from staging area
Image transitions to
active after import completes from the staging area.Staging Area Configuration
The staging area is a temporary directory used by the glance-direct import method. Configure its location and size limits:Staging area configuration
Next Steps
Storage Backends
Configure where imported images are stored after the import completes.
Metadata
Define metadata namespaces for consistent property schemas on imported images.
Admin Troubleshooting
Resolve web-download timeouts and staging area failures.
Upload an Image
Standard upload workflow for user-facing image ingestion.