> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/block-storage/block-storage-faqs.md).

# FAQ

## What are the new storage performance classes?

We now have **Essential**, **Balanced**, and **Performance** storage classes. These new performance classes are built on [<mark style="color:blue;">Hard Disk Drive (HDD)</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#hard-disk-drive-hdd) and [<mark style="color:blue;">Solid-State Drive (SSD)</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#solid-state-drive-ssd) technology. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Storage Performance</mark>](/cloud/backup-and-storage/block-storage/overview/storage-performance.md).

## Do HDD and SSD still work alongside the new performance classes?

| **Scenario**                                                                                                                                                              | **Supported storage performance**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Existing [<mark style="color:blue;">Virtual Data Center (VDC)</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#virtual-data-center-vdc) | <ul><li>Existing storage continues on <strong>HDD</strong>, <strong>SSD Standard</strong>, or <strong>SSD Premium</strong>.</li><li>New storage added through the DCD only supports <strong>Essential</strong>, <strong>Balanced</strong>, or <strong>Performance</strong>.</li><li>New storage added through the <a href="https://api.ionos.com/docs/cloud/v6/#tag/Volumes"><mark style="color:blue;">API</mark></a> or <a href="https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/tools-terraform"><mark style="color:blue;">Terraform</mark></a> supports the new <a href="/pages/28rzJIbb4tzuiF2jCPFa"><mark style="color:blue;">Storage Performance</mark></a> classes and <strong>HDD</strong>, <strong>SSD Standard</strong>, or <strong>SSD Premium</strong> for backward compatibility. We recommend using the new storage performance classes.</li></ul> |
| New VDC                                                                                                                                                                   | <ul><li>New storage added through the DCD only supports <strong>Essential</strong>, <strong>Balanced</strong>, or <strong>Performance</strong>.</li><li>New storage added through the <a href="https://api.ionos.com/docs/cloud/v6/#tag/Volumes"><mark style="color:blue;">API</mark></a> or <a href="https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/tools-terraform"><mark style="color:blue;">Terraform</mark></a> supports the new <a href="/pages/28rzJIbb4tzuiF2jCPFa"><mark style="color:blue;">Storage Performance</mark></a> classes and <strong>HDD</strong>, <strong>SSD Standard</strong>, or <strong>SSD Premium</strong> for backward compatibility. We recommend using the new storage performance classes.</li></ul>                                                                                                                             |

## Virtualization

### Which virtualization technology does IONOS CLOUD use?

<code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> systems are built on Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) hypervisor and libvirt virtualization management. We have adapted both of these components to our requirements and optimized them for the delivery of diverse cloud services, with a special focus on security and guest isolation.

### Which images can I import?

Some software images are only designed for certain virtualization systems. Without VirtlO drivers, VM will not work properly with the hypervisor. You can set the storage bus type to IDE temporarily to install the VirtlO drivers.

### How do I install VirtIO drivers for Windows?

For a Windows VM to work properly with our hypervisor, VirtI/O drivers are required.

* Install Windows using the original IDE driver

  You can now install the VirtIO drivers from the ISO provided by <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code>.
* Add a CD-ROM drive to your server
* Select the windows-virtio-driver.iso ISO
* Boot from the selected ISO to start the automatic installation tool

  You can now switch to VirtIO.

For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Install Windows VirtIO drivers</mark>](/cloud/backup-and-storage/block-storage/how-tos/install-windows-virtio-drivers.md).

### Can I run a virtualization platform on a Dedicated Core Server?

Our hypervisor informs the guest operating system that it is located in a virtualized environment. Some virtualized systems do not support virtualized environments and cannot be executed on an <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> Dedicated Core Server. We generally do not recommend using your virtualization technology in virtual hosts.

## Storage connectivity

### Can I connect one storage device to multiple servers?

It is impossible to connect multiple servers to one storage device, but you can connect multiple servers in a network without performance loss.

## Storage management

### How do I change the Availability Zone of a storage device?

Once a storage device is provisioned, it is impossible to change its Availability Zone. However, you could create a snapshot and then use it to provision a storage device with a new Availability Zone.

For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Availability Zones</mark>](/cloud/backup-and-storage/block-storage/overview.md#availability-zones).

## Support

### Where can I get assistance if I encounter problems?

If you have further questions or require additional support, contact [<mark style="color:blue;">IONOS CLOUD Support</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/contact-information).


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