---
title: How to migrate Instance Local Storage to Block Storage volumes
description: This page explains how to migrate Instance Local Storage to Block Storage volumes.
tags: instance migration local-storage block-storage sbs
dates:
  validation: 2025-12-18
  posted: 2024-04-22
---
import Requirements from '@macros/iam/requirements.mdx'


This tutorial guides you through the process of migrating your Instance's Local Storage (`l_ssd`) to Scaleway Block Storage (SBS). 
By following these steps, you will be able to export your local storage and restart your Instance with SBS.

<Requirements />
- A Scaleway account logged into the [console](https://console.scaleway.com)
- [Owner](/iam/concepts/#owner) status or [IAM permissions](/iam/concepts/#permission) allowing you to perform actions in the intended Organization
- An [Instance](/instances/how-to/create-an-instance/) using [Local Storage (`l_ssd`)](/local-storage/)
- An [Object Storage bucket](/object-storage/how-to/create-a-bucket/) in the same geographical region as your Instance

## Creating a snapshot of your Local Storage volume

To begin the migration process, you need to create a snapshot of your Local Storage volume. This will allow you to export the snapshot and import it into a new SBS volume.

1. Click **CPU & GPU Instances** in the **Compute** section of the side menu. The [Instances page](https://console.scaleway.com/instance/servers) displays.
2. Select the Availability Zone (AZ) from the drop-down menu (e.g., `PAR1`) to view resources in the selected AZ.
3. Click the Instance you want to snapshot.
4. Click the **Storage** tab to display the storage options of your Instance.
5. Click <Icon name="more" /> > **Snapshot** next to the volume you want to snapsot.
6. A pop-up displays. Choose a **name** for the snapshot, or use the default suggested name.
7. Click **Create snapshot** to finish. You are redirected to the **Snapshots** tab in the **Local Storage** section of the Scaleway console, where your new snapshot now appears in the list.

## Exporting the snapshot

Once you have created the snapshot, you need to export it. This will allow you to import the snapshot into a new SBS volume.

1. Click the [snapshots](https://console.scaleway.com/local-storage/snapshots) tab in the **Local Storage** section of the Scaleway console.
2. Select the Availability Zone (AZ) from the drop-down menu (e.g., `PAR1`) to view resources in the selected AZ.
3. A list of your Local Storage snapshots displays. Click <Icon name="more" /> > **Copy to bucket**.
4. A pop-up displays. Enter a name for the QCOW2 export of your snapshot and select the Object Storage bucket to export your snapshot into from the drop-down list.
    <Message type="note">
      The Object Storage bucket must be in the same region as your snapshot.
    </Message>
5. Click **Copy snapshot to bucket** to start the export.

## Importing the snapshot into a new SBS volume

After exporting the snapshot, you need to import it into a new SBS volume. This will create a new volume with the same data as your local storage volume.

1. Click the [Object Storage section](https://console.scaleway.com/object-storage/buckets) of the Scaleway console, then click the bucket to which you have exported the snapshot. The snapshot copy should display in the list of your objects.
    <Message type="note">
    Depending on the size of your snapshot, the export to Object Storage may take some time. It is ready once the status indicator changes to green.
    </Message>
2. Click <Icon name="more" /> next to the snapshot copy, then click **Import as snapshot**. A pop-up displays. Enter the name of the snapshot, select the destination AZ, and choose the snapshot type.
    Select **Block SSD** as the snapshot type. Click **Import file as snapshot** to import the snapshot into the destination AZ.
    <Message type="important">
      - Ensure that the QCOW / QCOW2 image file you want to import uses the file extension `.qcow` or `.qcow2` to avoid issues during import.
      - Imported snapshots must have a volume size between 1 GB and 1 TB.
    </Message>

### Creating a volume from the imported snapshot

Once the snapshot has been imported into your destination Availability Zone, you must create a new SBS volume from it.

1. Click **Block Storage** in the **Storage** section of the side menu.
2. Click the **Snapshots** tab.
3. Click the <Icon name="more" /> (More options) icon next to the snapshot you just imported.
4. Click **Create volume from snapshot**.
5. Enter a name for the new volume and confirm the size.
6. Click **Create volume**. Your new SBS volume will now appear in the **Volumes** list.

## Attaching the new SBS volume to your Instance

Once the new SBS volume is created, you need to attach it to your instance. This will allow you to use the new volume as your primary storage.

1. Click **Block Storage** in the **Storage** section of the side menu.
2. Click the **Volumes** tab.
3. Click **Attach to Instance** next to the volume you just created.
4. Select your Instance from the dropdown list.
5. Click **Attach volume to Instance**.

<Message type="tip">
  Alternatively you can [create a new Instance](/instances/how-to/create-an-instance/) and use the SBS volume as boot volume for your Instance.
</Message>

## Restarting your Instance

After attaching the new SBS volume, you need to restart your instance. This will ensure that your Instance is using the new SBS volume as its primary storage.

1. Click **CPU & GPU Instances** in the **Compute** section of the side menu. The [Instances page](https://console.scaleway.com/instance/servers) displays.
2. Select the Availability Zone (AZ) from the drop-down menu (e.g., `PAR1`) to view resources in the selected AZ.
3. Click the Instance you want to reboot.
4. Click **Actions** > **Reboot** in the top right corner of the Instance overview page.
5. A pop-up displays to confirm the Instance reboot. Click **Reboot Instance**.

## Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully migrated your local storage (`l_ssd`) to Scaleway Block Storage (SBS).
Your Instance is now up and running using SBS, and you can benefit from the advantages of Scaleway's advanced Block Storage solution.

<Message type="note">
  This tutorial does not cover specific modifications done by the user in the Instance that would break the mounting system.
  If you have made any modifications, ensure that they are compatible with SBS before proceeding with the migration.
</Message>