> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.i3d.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.i3d.net/compute/flexmetal/reinstall-your-servers.md).

# Reinstall your servers

{% hint style="danger" %}
Warning: By default, the operation will cause a **full disk wipe** and all data will be lost! You can opt out by appending `?wipeDisk=false` to the request URL. Proceed with caution.
{% endhint %}

To reinstall your servers, use the endpoint provided in the [API documentation](https://docs.i3d.net/api/api_flexmetal#patch-v3-flexmetal-servers-uuid). Ensure you obtain the required UUID from the POST /servers response body. You may pass optional parameters such as:

* `name` (hostname)
* `os` (operating system), which must include a slug property
* `kernelParam` (optional)
* `partitions` (optional)
* `sshKey` (optional). If you leave it out, the keys from the original server request are reinstalled. See [SSH keys on reinstall](#ssh-keys-on-reinstall) below.
* `postInstallScript` (a shell script on Linux, PowerShell on Windows — see [Post-install scripts](/compute/flexmetal/post-install-scripts.md)). If omitted, no script runs; the one from the original server request is not carried over.

### Usage Scenarios

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Reinstall with the Initially Requested OS" %}

* **Parameters:**
  * `name`: (string)\
    Optionally include `kernelParam`, `partitions`, `sshKey`
* **Behavior:**\
  The originally provisioned OS will be reinstalled, including any specified `kernelParam`, custom `partitions`, and/or `sshKey`.
  * If you pass a new `sshKey`, it replaces the original. If you leave it out, the original keys are reinstalled.
    {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Reinstall with a Different OS" %}

* **Parameters:**
  * `os`: (object)\
    Fully specify the OS you want to install.
* **Behavior:**\
  The originally provisioned OS will be replaced by the provided OS object, which is installed instead.
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Reinstall with Specific SSH Keys" %}

* **Parameters:**
  * `sshKey`: (array)
* **Behavior:**\
  The originally provisioned OS is reinstalled, but **only** the passed SSH keys are injected (not the default/original ones).
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Reinstall Without Wiping the Disk" %}

* **Query parameter:** `?wipeDisk=false`
* **Behavior:**\
  The OS is reinstalled, but the explicit quick-format pre-step is skipped.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

### SSH keys on reinstall

`sshKey` is optional on a reinstall, whichever operating system you install — including when you switch to a different OS.

What you send decides which keys end up on the reinstalled server:

| You send                            | Result                                                                  |
| ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Nothing, or `"sshKey": null`        | The keys from the original server request are reinstalled               |
| `"sshKey": []`                      | Also the original keys — an empty array does **not** clear them         |
| `"sshKey": ["ssh-ed25519 AAAA..."]` | **Only** the keys you pass are installed; the original ones are dropped |

{% hint style="warning" %}
If the original request carried SSH keys, a reinstall cannot remove all of them. If you want a server without keys, release it and order a new one without `sshKey`.
{% endhint %}

**Example PATCH request with all of the options**

```json
{
  "name": "host.example.com",
  "os": {
    "slug": "ubuntu-2404-lts",
    "kernelParams": [
      {
        "key": "test-kernel-param-key",
        "value": "test-kernel-param-value"
      }
    ],
    "partitions": [
      {
        "target": "/custom",
        "filesystem": "ext4",
        "size": 10240
      }
    ]
  },
  "sshKey": [
    "ecdsa-sha2-nistp256 AAAAE2VjZHNhLXNoYTItbmlzdHAyNTYAAAAIbmlzdHAyNTYAAABBBHo8IaPkQ6UnDZvi4F4RBSouRa6Gtysdg2EF+SIXheVF2SGBQ2uH7RfDjXRfvq4VpHJrKYs4kWfNoHQg8ZG6PH4= ecdsa-key-20240131"
  ],
  "postInstallScript": "#!/bin/bash\necho \"Hello world!\" > /root/test.txt"
}

```


---

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