// Module included in the following assemblies:
// * edge_computing/image_base_install/ibi-understanding-image-based-install.adoc

:_mod-docs-content-type: CONCEPT
[id="ibi-image-based-installation-overview_{context}"]
= Image-based installation for {sno} clusters

[role="_abstract"]
Using the {lcao}, you can generate an OCI container image that encapsulates an instance of a {sno} cluster.

This image is derived from a dedicated cluster that you can configure with the target {product-title} version.

You can reference this image in a live installation ISO to consistently preinstall configured and validated instances of {sno} to multiple hosts. This approach enables the preparation of hosts at a central location, for example in a factory or service depot, before shipping the preinstalled hosts to a remote site for rapid reconfiguration and deployment. The instructions for preinstalling a host are the same whether you deploy the host by using only the `openshift-install` program or using the program with the IBI Operator.

The following is a high-level overview of the image-based installation process:

. Generate an image from a {sno} cluster.
. Use the `openshift-install` program to embed the seed image URL, and other installation artifacts, in a live installation ISO.
. Start the host using the live installation ISO to preinstall the host.
+
During this process, the `openshift-install` program installs {op-system-first} to the disk, pulls the image you generated, and precaches release container images to the disk.

. When the installation completes, the host is ready to ship to the remote site for rapid reconfiguration and deployment.
