# ISO-based installation

This guide details the step-by-step process of installing Storware Backup & Recovery using an ISO image. In this guide, we'll use vCenter Hypervisor Manager as an example, but these instructions can be adapted to any Storware-supported Hypervisor Manager.

## Prerequisites:

* Compute requirements: 10 vCPU and 12 GB of RAM
* Storage Requirements: At least two virtual disks are required for deployment:
  * Disk 1: Minimum 30GB for the operating system and SBR installation.
  * Disk 2: Minimum 200GB for data staging (you will be able to allocate more disk space when required).
* Download the ISO: Visit the Storware repository and download the latest ISO file for deploying the SBR virtual machine.

## Preparation:

1. **Download the ISO:** Visit the Storware repository and download the latest ISO file for deploying the Storware Backup & Recovery virtual machine.

   [Click for current ISO](https://repo.storware.eu/storware/current/iso/storware-br-current.iso)

   1. the default variant creates an XFS backup destination - if you want to use ZFS with deduplication instead, you can find a separate ISO in the [repository](https://repo.storware.eu/storware/current/iso/). In this case, you should also increase compute settings to 16 vCPU and 24 GB of RAM. 
2. **Upload the ISO to your Datastore:** Within your virtualization platform's interface, locate the "Datastore" section and upload the downloaded ISO file.

   ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/0HLnQVvDmCysCU1fwTNs/deployment_installation_iso_1.jpg)

## Deployment:

1. **Create a New Virtual Machine:** Right-click on the desired folder or datacenter within your virtualization platform and select "New Virtual Machine.

   ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/Iw18V88x5tkOSw33RMnX/deployment_installation_iso_4.jpg)
2. **Configure Virtual Machine Settings:** Follow the prompts in the wizard to complete the virtual machine creation process. Here's a breakdown of the key steps:
   1. Enter a descriptive name for your virtual machine.

      ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/x38hrX6vs78kbN1qWnBl/deployment_installation_iso_6.jpg)
   2. Allocate storage for the virtual machine from your available datastores

      ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/UX9gzX1YFXLV8CCNmo34/deployment_installation_iso_8.jpg)
   3. Choose the compatibility mode based on your virtualization platform's requirements.

      ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/0tYIrFscvsKU3U4VLfKS/deployment_installation_iso_9.jpg)
   4. Select the guest operating system - ideally CentOS Linux 9. If unavailable, choose CentOS 8.

      ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/imn63jAQqdUPnjF7E8AK/deployment_installation_iso_10.jpg)
   5. Select the appropriate compute resources (CPU, memory) for your needs.

      ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/vRRE9qRyDBzzvBp2Lp3C/deployment_installation_iso_11.jpg)
   6. Refer to the provided screenshot to configure the virtual machine's hardware specifications (CPU cores, memory, etc.).
      1. **CD/DVD Drive:**
         * In the next step, select "Datastore ISO File" as the CD/DVD drive source.

           ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/4eQxnXmnh2FwLYflNzNT/deployment_installation_iso_12.jpg)
         * Choose the ISO file you uploaded earlier.

           ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/G4i0LLFDCIW5aeuyYo4C/deployment_installation_iso_13.jpg)
         * Ensure "Connect at power on" is checked for the CD/DVD drive.

           ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/O7MXeMVTB4iaTuTCghN9/deployment_installation_iso_14.jpg)
      2. **VM Options:** Verify that "Secure Boot" is disabled in the VM Options section.

         ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/cgixw1Qj7auqFdkNlpLf/deployment_installation_iso_15.jpg)
   7. Review the configuration summary and click "Finish" to create the virtual machine.

      ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/ZesmwVV7PO7GxzKKiPMY/deployment_installation_iso_16.jpg)
3. **Starting the Virtual Machine.** Locate the newly deployed virtual machine in your virtualization platform's interface.

   ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/m34Ze3jOgcsXinoEOAxe/deployment_installation_iso_17.jpg)
4. **Booting the System:** Power on the virtual machine. You might be redirected to a Storware installation process window.

   ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/r88CeXFdIoPL45WHJHWc/deployment_installation_iso_18.jpg)
5. Typically, pressing "Enter" will initiate the installation process. Wait for the setup wizard to appear.

   ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/2FGOKltE1m4f8Y5vgUgK/deployment_installation_iso_19.jpg)
6. You will need to select a disk to be used for both the System and Storware Backup and Recovery. To do this, click on the highlighted field. **Please, DO NOT modify settings in other installer sections**.<br>

   ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/hYTpCPTe4sM97al27LZK/deployment_installation_iso_24.jpg)
7. Select the desired disk and click "Done." **During the installation, select only the drive designated for the system.** The other drives will be used as data storage for your backups automatically during the initial configuration.

   <figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/Sk1QinfN5xIT9wWmMVvZ/deployment_installation_iso_25.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
8. After these steps you will be able to click “Begin Installation”.

   <figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/vkpkebkFFFVxMDyZrRNR/deployment_installation_iso_26.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
9. The configuration process might require additional steps. Follow the on-screen prompts.

   <figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK/blobs/e1JWthhK0GI2iKIU1ukf/deployment_installation_iso_21.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
10. After a system restart, you should see the Storware installation completion screen.

    <figure><img src="https://2780889012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK%2Fuploads%2FTKaoS1XGHfriXkZaTf9u%2FZrzut%20ekranu%202026-01-12%20o%2014.31.25.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7124b27c-1e30-4b55-bfa7-3e86b75fa9d1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Post-installation

Optionally, for backup strategies involving **disk attachment** mode, follow these steps: [LVM setup on Storware Backup & Recovery Node for disk attachment backup mode](https://docs.storware.eu/backup-and-recovery-7.4/deployment/common-tasks/lvm-setup-on-storware-backup-and-recovery-node-for-disk-attachment-backup-mode).&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
In cases you need **OS-level** access - you can log in to the OS using user: `root` and password `vPr0tect` .
{% endhint %}

Now you should be able to log in to the Storware Backup & Recovery **web UI** server using `https://IP_OF_YOUR_MACHINE` (the one shown in the console). By default, Storware Backup & Recovery has one admin account - `admin` with the password `vPr0tect` (with a zero).&#x20;

![](https://2780889012-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0FWMFN0y1yUTAd3cSRaK%2Fuploads%2FuYoPwCWEu8IITBYkIgOU%2FZrzut%20ekranu%202026-01-12%20o%2014.34.22.png?alt=media\&token=a9651cda-7614-4897-b1eb-968eeeb7ebee)

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Proceed with the [Initial configuration](https://docs.storware.eu/backup-and-recovery-7.4/deployment/initial-configuration) instructions to configure access to the hypervisors and backup destinations.