> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.plenit.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.plenit.com/docs-en/productos/servers-2/concepts/images-and-applications.md).

# Images and applications

A **image** is the starting point of your server: the operating system it boots with and, if you choose, software already installed on top. When you deploy a server, the first thing you decide is which image it starts from.

### Where your server starts from

You have four sources for the image, depending on what you need:

* **Distributions** — official, ready-to-use operating systems (Windows Server and the main Linux distributions). The usual choice.
* **My images** — your own images, created from servers you already have. Ideal for replicating a configuration over and over.
* **ISOs** — your own ISO image, when you need to install a system your way.
* **Marketplace** — appliances and preconfigured software, ready to deploy in a few clicks.

### Windows or Linux?

The first decision is the operating system. **Windows Server** fits the client's ERP and Windows business software; **Linux**, with web services, databases, containers, and appliances.

If you go with Linux, each distribution shines in something different:

| Distribution            | What it fits best                                                |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ubuntu                  | Development, containers, and web apps                            |
| Debian                  | Stable production: databases, mail, DNS                          |
| AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux | CentOS replacements, RHEL compatibility, enterprise environments |
| Oracle Linux            | Oracle Database and Oracle applications                          |

You have the full catalog of versions in [Details.](/docs-en/productos/servers/details.md)

### Preinstalled applications

On a Windows image you can **preinstall commonly used applications** —browsers, PDF reader, office suite, FTP client— so the server arrives ready. It's optional: if you don't need any, you can continue.

### Your own images

Here is one of the most useful levers for a partner: **create an image from an already configured server and reuse it**. You set up a server to your liking —system, settings, software—, turn it into an image, and deploy as many identical copies as you need.

> #### 👍 Configure once, deploy many
>
> Your own images save you from repeating the same setup for every client. You can store up to 12 per subscription.

### The Marketplace

The Marketplace brings appliances ready to deploy:

* **3CX** — phone switchboard (VoIP).
* **FortiGate VM** (Fortinet) and **FireboxV** (WatchGuard) — firewalls that you operate yourself as a VNF. You can see them in [Server networking.](/docs-en/productos/servers/concepts/networks.md)
* **Pandora FMS** — monitoring.

### Next steps

* Choose the size in [Size your server.](/docs-en/productos/servers/concepts/size-cpu-ram-disk.md)
* Create your first server with [Quick Start](/docs-en/productos/servers/quickstart.md)

<br>


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