# Importing an Image

IMS provides multiple methods for importing images. You can select a method based on the image file type, format, or size.

- To import a data disk image file, follow the instructions in Creating a Data Disk Image from an External Image File.
- To import a system disk image file, follow the instructions in the following table.

  Table 1 Importing a system disk image file
  File Format | File Size | Reference
  --- | --- | ---

  VMDK, VHD, QCOW2, VHDX, QED, VDI, QCOW, or ZVHD

  Not larger than 128 GB

  - Creating a Windows System Disk Image from an External Image File
  - Creating a Linux System Disk Image from an External Image File

  RAW or ZVHD2

  No larger than 1 TB

  - Quickly Importing an Image File

Parent topic: Managing Private Images