> 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/~/revisions/AMiYziCllTKB2y2lmONY/storage-and-backup/block-storage/block-storage-faq.md).
# Block Storage FAQs
### Which virtualization technology does IONOS use?
IONOS 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 IONOS.
* 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 [Install Windows VirtIO drivers](/cloud/~/revisions/AMiYziCllTKB2y2lmONY/storage-and-backup/block-storage/block-storage/add-block-storage.md#install-windows-virtio-drivers).
### 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 IONOS Dedicated Core Server. We generally do not recommend using your virtualization technology in virtual hosts.
### How do I upload my images with FTP?
You can upload your images to the FTP server in your region. The available regions are:
| **Location** | **FTP access endpoint** |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Frankfurt am Main (DE) | ftps\://ftp-fra.ionos.com |
| Karlsruhe (DE) | ftps\://ftp-fkb.ionos.com |
| Berlin (DE) | ftps\://ftp-txl.ionos.com |
| London (GB) | ftps\://ftp-lhr.ionos.com |
| Paris (FR) | ftps\://ftp-par.ionos.com |
| Logroño (ES) | ftps\://ftp-vit.ionos.com |
| Las Vegas (US) | ftps\://ftp-las.ionos.com |
| Lenexa (US) | ftps\://ftp-mci.ionos.com |
| Newark (US) | ftps\://ftp-ewr.ionos.com |
The DCD also lists the FTP addresses on the following pages:
* **Menu** > **Help** (Question Mark icon) > **FTP Image Upload**.
* **Menu** > **Management** > **Images & Snapshots** > **FTP Upload Image**. For more information, see [Private Images](/cloud/~/revisions/AMiYziCllTKB2y2lmONY/storage-and-backup/block-storage/images-snapshots/private-images.md).
### Why I cannot select the images I uploaded?
Your own images are only available in the region where you uploaded them. Accordingly, only images located in the same region as the virtual data center are available for selection in a virtual data center. For example, if you upload an image to the FTP server in Frankfurt, you can only use that image in a virtual data center in Frankfurt.
### Can I use an encrypted connection for FTP uploads?
We strongly recommend that you select FTPS (File Transfer Protocol with Transport Layer Security) as the transfer protocol. This can easily be done using "FileZilla", for example. Simple FTP works as well, but your access data is transmitted in plain text.
### Why are image files in the FTP account 0 bytes in size?
After a file has been uploaded to the FTP server, it is protected from deletion, converted, and then made available as an image. When this process is finished, the file size is reduced to 0 bytes to save space but left on the FTP server. This is to prevent a file with the same name from being uploaded again and interfering with the processing of existing images. If an image is no longer needed, contact [IONOS Cloud Suppport](https://docs.ionos.com/support/general-information/contact-information).
### How do I delete snapshots?
Snapshots that you no longer need can be deleted in the Image Manager.
For more information, see [Delete a snapshot](/cloud/~/revisions/AMiYziCllTKB2y2lmONY/storage-and-backup/block-storage/images-snapshots/snapshots.md#delete-a-snapshot).
### Which images support Live Vertical Scaling (LVS)?
Live Vertical Scaling is supported by all our images. Please note that the Windows OS only allows CPU core scaling.
### Can I connect one storage device to multiple servers?
It is not possible to connect multiple servers to one storage device, but you can connect multiple servers in a network without performance loss.
### Which image types are supported?
IONOS Cloud allows the customer to upload their own images to the infrastructure via upload servers. This procedure is to be completed individually for each data center location. IONOS Cloud optionally offers transmission with secure transport (TLS). The uploading of HDD and CD-ROM/DVD-ROM images is supported. Specifically, the uploading of images in the following formats is supported:
**CD-ROM / DVD-ROM:**
* \*.iso ISO 9660 image file
**HDD Images:**
* \*.vmdk vmware HDD images
* \*.vhd, \*.vhdx HyperV HDD images
* \*.cow, \*.qcow, \*.qcow2 Qemu HDD images
* \*.raw binary HDD image
* \*.vpc VirtualPC HDD image
* \*.vdi VirtualBox HDD image
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Images created from UEFI boot machines cannot be uploaded. Only MBR boot images are supported.
{% endhint %}
### How do I change the Availability Zone of a storage device?
Once a storage device is provisioned, it is not possible to change its Availability Zone. You could, however, create a snapshot and then use it to provision a storage device with a new Availability Zone.
For more information, see [Availability Zones](/cloud/~/revisions/AMiYziCllTKB2y2lmONY/storage-and-backup/block-storage/overview.md#availability-zones).
### Does IONOS support RHEL images? What are the charges?
Yes, IONOS is authorized to provide and operate Red Hat Enterprise Linux within the IONOS public cloud infrastructure.
As this is a paid Linux distribution, IONOS charges a certain fee for the usage of IONOS RHEL images. The following table lists the charges.
| Product Item | Meter Description | Unit | Price Group | EUR | GPB | USD | CAD | MXN |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- | ----- | ----------- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ---- |
| RHEL1100 | 1h Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Small Virtual Node | 1hour | PG 3 | 0.055 | 0.055 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 1.23 |
| RHEL1200 | 1h Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Large Virtual Node | 1hour | PG 3 | 0.120 | 0.120 | 0.130 | 0.130 | 2.66 |
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