What Does 'Golden Image' Mean?

Edward Martel author Edward Martel
What is Golden Image?
Photo by Ferenc Almasi on Unsplash

A “golden image,” also known as a “golden master” or “reference image,” is the final version of a software application that has been thoroughly tested and approved for production use. It represents the best possible configuration of the software, taking into consideration the needs and requirements of the end users.

The process of creating a golden image involves several steps:

  1. Identify the components that make up the software: This includes the operating system, any dependencies or libraries, and any custom applications or configurations that need to be included.
  2. Install and configure the components: The components are installed and configured on a test machine, following the documented procedures and best practices. Any custom configurations or settings are applied as needed.
  3. Test the software: The software is thoroughly tested to ensure that it is functional and performs as expected. This includes functional testing, performance testing, and compatibility testing with other systems and applications. 4 Capture the image: Once the software has been thoroughly tested and approved, the image of the test machine is captured and saved as the “golden image.” This image can then be used to deploy the software to other machines in a consistent and repeatable manner.

There are several benefits to using a golden image:

  • Consistency: By using a “golden image” to deploy the software, all machines will have the same configuration and settings, ensuring consistency and reducing the risk of configuration drift.
  • Ease of deployment: Using a golden image makes it easier to deploy the software to multiple machines, as it eliminates the need to manually install and configure each machine individually.
  • Time savings: Deploying the software using a golden image is generally faster than manually installing and configuring each machine individually.
  • Reduced risk of errors: By using a tested and approved image, the risk of errors and issues during deployment is greatly reduced.

In short, a golden image is an essential tool for ensuring the smooth and consistent deployment of a software application. It represents the final, approved version of the software, and is used to ensure that all deployed machines have the same configuration and settings.