Should I use RAW or QCOW2 images to host block devices for OpenStack instances?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • What is the difference between QCOW2 and RAW image formats?
  • When should I select QCOW2 images?
  • When should I select RAW images?
  • raw and qcow

Environment

  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 14
  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 13
  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 12
  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 11
  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 10
  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 9
  • Red Hat OpenStack Platform 8

If your environment not listed here, then it probably reached end of support life time

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