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  • 1.  Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 11/21/24 10:30 AM

    I have 10 "Virtual Server for Classic" instances and I used to be able to use "Create Image Template" to copy a server to a new instance.

    Now, that option is greyed out for all instances and the information popup says "Cannot have both cloud-init flag and secondary software" 

    Does anyone know how to find out what secondary software is preventing me from creating image templates? I've search thtouhg the docs but haven't found anything (I'm assuming I should not turn off the cloud-init flag).



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    Daniel A. Campbell
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  • 2.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 05/12/26 09:26 AM

    Same problem. Any luck ?



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    Jorge Lopez
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  • 3.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 05/13/26 10:01 AM

    Hello Jorge and Denial,

    I landed in the same situation while migrating from classic to VPC, the issue is if you have backups configured. You have to remove the backup from portal and capture the snapshot.

    Hope this help



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    Narender Singh
    Cloud Solutions Architect
    GlassHouse Systems Inc
    Toronto ON
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 07/24/26 02:29 PM

    I never found a solution.

    My question was from almost two years ago and since the Classic infrastructure is being shutdown soon, I had to rebuild each of my VMs in VPC (less flexible, worse performance, significantly higher cost).


    It's ironic that my question was answered too late to help me.



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    Daniel A. Campbell
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 07/24/26 02:39 PM

    Hi Daniel,

    Apologies.. I just read your post yesterday while scrolling community threads.. I know it's too late, but at least I've provided an answer to help others that might encounter this problem.

    I just recently joined to this community, June 2026, still new.. but I really enjoying answer questions and getting involved.



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    Allan Solomon Mejia
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 07/24/26 03:09 PM

    Yes, hopefully it will help someone migrate before it's too late.

    I did have cloud backups enabled, so your response likely would have helped me.



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    Daniel A. Campbell
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 07/23/26 10:44 PM

    Hello Daniel, Jorge, and Narender,

    The "Cannot have both cloud-init flag and secondary software" message is somewhat misleading. One common cause is that the VSI has IBM Cloud Backup (secondary software) enabled. When backups are configured, the portal can disable Create Image Template.
     
    If that's the case, you can:
    • Verify whether the instance has IBM Cloud Backup enabled.
    • Remove or disable the backup service (if appropriate for your environment).
    • Capture the image template or snapshot.
    • Re-enable backups afterward if needed.
     
    If backups aren't configured, I'd recommend opening an IBM Cloud Support case so they can verify whether another secondary software component is attached to the VSI that's preventing image capture.


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    Allan Solomon Mejia
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  • 8.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 26 days ago
    Edited by Lorraine Rizzuto 19 days ago

    I'm facing the exact same issue. The "Create Image Template" option is greyed out on all of my Virtual Server for Classic instances, and I get the same message: "Cannot have both cloud-init flag and secondary software." I haven't been able to figure out what "secondary software" it's referring to either.

    If anyone finds the cause or a workaround, I'd really appreciate an update



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    bloxy Valuez
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  • 9.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 26 days ago

    Hello @bloxy Valuez,

    Since this is affecting multiple Classic Virtual Server instances, it suggests the issue may not be specific to a single VSI configuration. The "Cannot have both cloud-init flag and secondary software" message can be misleading, as "secondary software" isn't always visible in the UI.

    A few things worth checking are:

    • Whether IBM Cloud Backup or another secondary software component is attached to the instance.
    • Whether the issue occurs on a newly provisioned Classic VSI without any optional services enabled.
    • Whether the same behavior is present across different accounts or regions.

    If none of those explain the behavior, I'd recommend opening an IBM Cloud Support case. They can inspect the instance metadata and determine exactly which attribute is causing the Create Image Template action to be disabled. If Support identifies the root cause, please consider posting the resolution here so it can help others encountering the same issue.



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    Allan Solomon Mejia
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Can't Create Image Template

    Posted 26 days ago

    Hello,

    I faced the same issue and the reason was IBM Cloud Backup and Image Template can not go together. In my case I had to remove backup (Which is not the ideal solution for critical workloads) and then took the image and reconfigured the backups.



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    Narender Singh
    Cloud Solutions Architect
    GlassHouse Systems Inc
    Toronto ON
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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