> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.storware.eu/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.storware.eu/deployment/installation/iso-based-installation.md).
# 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.
## Deployment:
1. **Create a New Virtual Machine:** Right-click on the desired folder or datacenter within your virtualization platform and select "New Virtual Machine.
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.
2. Allocate storage for the virtual machine from your available datastores
3. Choose the compatibility mode based on your virtualization platform's requirements.
4. Select the guest operating system - ideally CentOS Linux 9. If unavailable, choose CentOS 8.
5. Select the appropriate compute resources (CPU, memory) for your needs.
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.
* Choose the ISO file you uploaded earlier.
* Ensure "Connect at power on" is checked for the CD/DVD drive.
2. **VM Options:** Verify that "Secure Boot" is disabled in the VM Options section.
7. Review the configuration summary and click "Finish" to create the virtual machine.
3. **Starting the Virtual Machine.** Locate the newly deployed virtual machine in your virtualization platform's interface.
4. **Booting the System:** Power on the virtual machine. You might be redirected to a Storware installation process window.
5. Typically, pressing "Enter" will initiate the installation process. Wait for the setup wizard to appear.
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**.
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.
8. After these steps you will be able to click “Begin Installation”.
9. The configuration process might require additional steps. Follow the on-screen prompts.
10. After a system restart, you should see the Storware installation completion screen.
## 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](/deployment/common-tasks/lvm-setup-on-storware-backup-and-recovery-node-for-disk-attachment-backup-mode.md).
{% 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).
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Proceed with the [Initial configuration](/deployment/initial-configuration.md) instructions to configure access to the hypervisors and backup destinations.