# How to Export Custom RHEL 8/9/10 Images from Red Hat to OCI

Many enterprises standardize their Linux operating systems using golden images. Red Hat Image Builder provides a simple way to create customized RHEL images, while Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) allows importing these images as Custom Compute Images.

In this DIY article, you will learn how to:

* Build a custom RHEL 8/9/10 image using Red Hat Image Builder
    
* Export the image in QCOW2 format
    
* Upload it to OCI Object Storage
    
* Import and use it as a custom image in OCI Compute
    

This approach ensures consistent builds, faster provisioning, and compliance across cloud environments.

## Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

* A valid Red Hat account with active RHEL subscription or developer access
    
* Access to Red Hat Hybrid Cloud Console
    
* Permissions to use Red Hat Image Builder
    
* An OCI tenancy with access to:
    
    * Object Storage
        
    * Compute → Custom Images
        
* (Optional) OCI CLI configured for automation
    

## Step 1: Log in to Red Hat Hybrid Cloud Console

Open the Red Hat console:

https://console.redhat.com/

Log in with your Red Hat credentials and verify that your account has developer access or an active subscription. Without this, image creation options will not be visible.Step 2: Open Image Builder (Inventory Image Tool)

From the Red Hat Console dashboard:

1. Navigate to Inventory
    
2. Select Image Builder
    

Image Builder allows you to create cloud-ready RHEL images for multiple platforms, including OCI.

## Step 3: Create a Blueprint for RHEL 8 / 9 / 10

In Image Builder:

1. Click Create Blueprint
    
2. Select the required RHEL version:
    
    * RHEL 8
        
    * RHEL 9
        
    * RHEL 10
        
3. Choose architecture (x86\_64 is recommended for OCI)
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768294150701/35172a76-f05d-4cde-90ce-a1c9be417e84.png align="center")

Customize the blueprint:

* Install required RPM packages
    
* Configure users and SSH public keys
    
* Enable repositories
    
* Apply security hardening or baseline configurations
    

This blueprint acts as your gold image definition.

## Step 4: Build the Custom RHEL Image

After saving the blueprint:

1. Click Build Image
    
2. Select QCOW2 as the image output format
    

> QCOW2 is the recommended and supported format for OCI custom image imports.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768294244143/9840df7d-6c1d-4148-8274-e8cb2e6c5fe4.png align="center")

The build process will start and may take several minutes. Wait until the status shows Completed.

## Step 5: Download the RHEL QCOW2 Image

Once the image build is complete:

* Download the generated QCOW2 image file
    
* (Optional) Validate checksum or file integrity
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768294274984/1281771b-a592-4414-aa9a-df2c9517954a.png align="center")

Ensure sufficient disk space before downloading, as image sizes can be multiple GBs.

## Step 6: Upload the Image to OCI Object Storage

Log in to the OCI Console:

1. Navigate to Object Storage → Buckets
    
2. Select an existing bucket or create a new one (example: `RHEL-Images`)
    
3. Upload the downloaded QCOW2 image
    
    ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768294393269/160d1094-f543-4ba4-87e7-0d4b1d8366d7.png align="center")
    

Make sure the bucket is in the same region where you plan to import the custom image.

## Step 7: Import the Custom RHEL Image into OCI

After uploading the image:

1. Go to Compute → Custom Images
    
2. Click Import Image
    
3. Select Object Storage as the source
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768294447692/ac722315-53c9-46f9-980c-0d47ec496541.png align="center")

1. Choose the bucket and QCOW2 image object
    
2. Set image type to QCOW2
    
3. Provide a descriptive name (example: `RHEL9-Golden-Image`)
    

The import process may take several minutes depending on image size.

## Step 8: Launch an OCI Instance Using the Custom Image

Once the image import completes:

1. Go to Compute → Instances
    
2. Click Create Instance
    
3. Choose Custom Image
    
4. Select your imported RHEL image
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768294496995/c7815a5d-8e21-4a0a-bc7b-caf516f11641.png align="center")

Configure shape, networking, and SSH access, then launch the instance.

## Post-Deployment Validation

After the instance starts:

* Confirm OS version:
    
    cat /etc/redhat-release
    
* Verify installed packages and custom configurations
    
* Validate SSH, networking, and application readiness
    
* ![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1768295030725/90b84ee0-c994-4754-ad31-bd98f1fbb3ac.png align="center")
    

## Benefits of Using Custom RHEL Images on OCI

* Faster VM provisioning
    
* Consistent OS builds across environments
    
* Improved security and compliance
    
* Reduced configuration drift
    
* Enterprise-ready golden image strategy
    
* In-place OS conversion during migration.
    

## Conclusion

Exporting a custom RHEL 8/9/10 image from Red Hat Image Builder and importing it into Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is a reliable way to standardize Linux deployments. By using QCOW2 images and OCI Custom Images, organizations can achieve scalable, secure, and repeatable infrastructure builds.