Can I use my own ISO file?

Yes, you can add and mount your own custom ISO.

How do I boot my Dedicated Server from the ISO?

After selecting and inserting the ISO file, you need to boot once from the ISO instead of the hard drive and restart your server.

Where do I install the operating system after booting from the ISO?

In the remote console, which you open via the Remote Management tab (button 'Open Remote Management') — there you access your server’s screen and perform the installation.

Dedicated Server: Initial Setup

Discover how to easily set up your ZAP Dedicated Server and gain access to various operating systems → Learn more now

10 November 20262 min read1 Views0 helpful

Introduction

Are you new to this area and worried about whether you can manage the setup of such a service or if there might be difficulties? No worries! This guide will walk you step-by-step through the initial setup of your ZAP Dedicated Server.

Preparation

Enable Remote Management

For the initial setup, you first need access to your server’s remote console. To do this, open the Remote Management tab and click "Start Session". This may take a moment. For more information and further use of the iLO/IPMI interface, we recommend checking out the Remote Management guide.

Once the session is active, you will be shown temporary access credentials. A remote management session is by default active only for a limited time and must be reactivated if you want to access it again later. Now you can proceed with selecting the ISO.

Select ISO

Switch to the Installation tab. In the "ISO Installation & Management" section, click the dropdown menu, select an ISO file, and confirm with "Insert ISO".

We provide a wide selection of ISO files for common operating systems such as Debian, Ubuntu, FreeBSD, Windows, CentOS, and Proxmox by default. The exact available versions may change over time — you can see the current selection directly in the dropdown menu.

You can also add and mount your own custom ISO. For more information on how to mount your own ISO file, please refer to the Custom ISO guide.

Installation

Mount and Boot from ISO

Once the ISO file has been successfully selected and inserted, you need to boot once from the ISO (instead of the hard drive) in the same section and restart your server so that the boot process runs from the ISO file. The restart may take a moment.

Install Operating System via Remote Management

The foundation for installing your desired operating system is now set. The system has mounted the ISO and started the setup process. Now open the remote console of your server via the Remote Management tab (button "Open Remote Management") to access your server’s screen.

The operating system installation now takes place in the remote console. We also offer guides for the most common operating systems. For more information on the next steps, please check the relevant guides:

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

You need access to your server’s remote console. Open the Remote Management tab and click 'Start Session'.

No, a remote management session is active only for a limited time by default and must be reactivated if you want to access it again.

We provide a wide selection of ISO files for common operating systems like Debian, Ubuntu, FreeBSD, Windows, CentOS, and Proxmox. Available versions may change over time — see the current selection in the dropdown menu.

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