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Share a Machine Image

Beginner 5 minutes Auto-generated screenshots

Overview

Sharing a machine image in RosettaHub allows others to launch instances from baselines you have created, use them in formations, and build on your configurations. You can share images with individual users, groups, or entire organizations -- making it easy to distribute standardized environments across teams.

When you share an image, RosettaHub creates a MetaCloud reference for each recipient. This means recipients get their own entry in their Images panel that points to the same underlying cloud resource. Sharing does not copy or transfer the cloud resource itself (e.g., the AMI or VM image). Multiple MetaCloud entries can reference the same cloud resource, each with independent labels and settings.

What Recipients Can Do

Recipients of a shared image can:

  • Launch instances from the image
  • Use the image in formations
  • View the image metadata (label, OS, ports)

What Sharing Does Not Do

  • It does not share the Cloud Key or cloud credentials -- recipients must have their own keys in the same region
  • It does not copy or transfer the underlying cloud resource (AMI, VM image, etc.)
  • It does not grant recipients the ability to modify or delete the original image

Prerequisites

  • [ ] RosettaHub account with active subscription
  • [ ] At least one image registered in your Images panel (see Register a Machine Image)
  • [ ] Knowledge of the recipient's RosettaHub login or email, or membership in a group/organization you manage

Steps

Step 1: Open the Share Dialog

In the Images panel, right-click the image you want to share.

Step 2: Click Share

Select Share from the context menu.

The Share dialog opens.

Step 3: Add Recipients

Enter the recipients for the shared image. You have three options:

Share with Individual Users

Input comma-separated user logins or email addresses in the text field.

Share with Groups

Select Groups from the dropdown to see groups you manage. Choose one or more groups to share the image with all group members.

Share with Organizations

Select Organizations from the dropdown to see organizations you manage. Sharing with an organization makes the image available to all members.

Tip

Sharing with a group or organization is the most efficient way to distribute images to a team. When new members join the group or organization, they automatically gain access to the shared image.

Step 4: Confirm the Share

Click Share to grant access to the selected recipients.

Step 5: Close the Dialog

Click Done to close the share dialog.

Recipients will now see the image in the Shared section of their Images panel.

Managing Shared Images

Viewing Who Has Access

To see who an image is currently shared with:

  1. Right-click the image
  2. Look for share or access information in the context menu or image details

Revoking Access

To remove a recipient's access to a shared image:

  1. Right-click the image
  2. Select Share
  3. Remove the user, group, or organization from the share list
  4. Confirm the change

Note

Revoking access removes the MetaCloud reference from the recipient's Images panel. Any instances they have already launched from the image will continue to run, but they will not be able to launch new instances.

Sharing Best Practices

Before Sharing

  • Test the image thoroughly before distributing it
  • Ensure the image has a clear, descriptive label
  • Verify that the correct ports and username are configured
  • Document any special requirements in the image description

Organization-Wide Distribution

  • Use organization-level sharing for company-standard images
  • Use group-level sharing for team-specific environments
  • Consider publishing to the RosettaHub Marketplace for broad distribution (share with user hub first)

Cloud Credentials

Recipients need their own Cloud Keys in the same region as the image to launch instances. Sharing an image does not share your credentials. Make sure recipients have appropriate Cloud Keys configured before sharing.

Next Steps

Troubleshooting

Recipient cannot see the shared image

Ensure that:

  • You entered the correct login or email address
  • The recipient has an active RosettaHub account
  • The recipient is checking the Shared section of their Images panel (not Private)
  • If sharing with a group or organization, confirm the recipient is a member
Recipient can see the image but cannot launch it

The recipient needs:

  • A Cloud Key in the same region as the image
  • An active cloud account with sufficient permissions
  • Adequate budget allocation in their organization

Ask them to check their Cloud Keys and Cloud Accounts.

How do I share with users outside my organization?

You can share with any RosettaHub user by entering their login or email address. The recipient does not need to be in your organization. However, they must have their own cloud credentials and budget to launch instances.

Can I share an image and restrict which instance types recipients can use?

Instance type restrictions are controlled through Cloud Operations budget and policy enforcement at the organization level, not at the image sharing level. Contact your organization administrator to configure instance type policies.