---
title: "Clean install from media"
description: "Install Ixolate on empty hardware or a new virtual machine from the official image or ISO, then do the first-boot setup."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ixolate.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Clean install from media

Use this path for new hardware, a replacement disk, or a fresh virtual machine. The media already contains the Ixolate plugin and the optional-feature catalogue, so the installer never needs the network.

## 1. Download and verify the media

All media is published at `https://repo.ixolate.com/ixolate/images/`. Three forms exist:

| File | Use it for |
|---|---|
| `Ixolate-<version>-dvd-amd64.iso.bz2` | Installer ISO. Boots on BIOS and UEFI. Burn to USB or attach to a VM. |
| `Ixolate-<version>-vga-amd64.img.bz2` | Installer USB image. Write it to a USB stick with `dd`. |
| `Ixolate-<version>-nano-amd64.img.bz2` | Pre-installed system for appliances that boot straight from the written disk (no installer). |

Every file has a matching `.sha256`. Verify before writing anything:

```sh
curl -O https://repo.ixolate.com/ixolate/images/Ixolate-26.7-dvd-amd64.iso.bz2
curl -O https://repo.ixolate.com/ixolate/images/Ixolate-26.7-dvd-amd64.iso.bz2.sha256
shasum -a 256 -c Ixolate-26.7-dvd-amd64.iso.bz2.sha256   # Linux: sha256sum -c
bunzip2 -k Ixolate-26.7-dvd-amd64.iso.bz2
```

`MANIFEST-<version>.txt` next to the files records when the media was built and which plugin version it carries.

Write a USB stick (macOS shown; replace `diskN` after checking `diskutil list`):

```sh
sudo dd if=Ixolate-26.7-vga-amd64.img of=/dev/rdiskN bs=4m status=progress
```

## 2. Boot the installer

Boot from the USB stick or ISO. The live system comes up branded and prints the console banner:

```
*** ixolate.internal: Ixolate 26.7 (amd64) ***
 LAN (vtnet0)  -> v4: 192.168.1.1/24
 WAN (vtnet1)  -> v4/DHCP4: ...
```

Log in as **`installer`** with the default password **`Ixolate`** to start the installer (logging in as `root` keeps you in live mode).

1. **Keymap** – accept the default.
2. **Install (ZFS)** – choose *stripe* and select the target disk. Confirm that the disk may be erased.
3. Wait for *Cloning current system* and *Preparing target system* to reach 100 %.
4. **Complete Install**, then **Halt now**. Remove the media and power the box on again.

The box boots from disk into the same branded banner. The first NIC is LAN (`192.168.1.1/24` with DHCP enabled), the second is WAN (DHCP client).

## 3. First login and basics

Open `https://192.168.1.1` from a computer on the LAN port. Log in as `root` / `Ixolate` and change the password immediately under **System › Access › Users**.

Then, in this order:

1. **System › Settings › General** – hostname, domain, DNS servers, time zone.
2. **Interfaces › Assignments** – confirm which physical port is LAN and which is WAN. On real hardware the driver names (`igb0`, `em0`, …) decide the order; label the ports.
3. **Interfaces › LAN** – set the LAN address for your network.
4. **System › Updates & License** – enter the subscription key and check for updates. See [Updates & License](/get-started/updates-and-license).

## 4. Verify

- The dashboard, page titles and console banner all say **Ixolate**.
- **System › Updates & License** shows the mirror as `https://repo.ixolate.com/<your key>` after the key is entered.
- **Optional Features** lists the catalogue that shipped on the media.

Anything different: see [Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/boot) or contact support with the hardware ID.

Source: https://docs.ixolate.com/get-started/clean-install/index.mdx