diff --git a/api-ref/source/parameters.yaml b/api-ref/source/parameters.yaml
index a116de49c0..89c092da92 100644
--- a/api-ref/source/parameters.yaml
+++ b/api-ref/source/parameters.yaml
@@ -2262,8 +2262,10 @@ image_status:
   type: string
 imageRef:
   description: |
-    The image reference, as a UUID or full URL, for the image to use for your server
-    instance.
+    The UUID of the image to use for your server instance.
+    This is not required in case of boot from volume.
+    In all other cases it is required and must be a valid UUID
+    otherwise API will return 400.
   in: body
   required: true
   type: string
diff --git a/doc/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json b/doc/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json
index 24cdb9c2e5..2a14738ed8 100644
--- a/doc/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json
+++ b/doc/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
         "accessIPv6": "80fe::",
         "name" : "new-server-test",
         "description" : "new-server-description",
-        "imageRef" : "http://glance.openstack.example.com/images/70a599e0-31e7-49b7-b260-868f441e862b",
+        "imageRef" : "70a599e0-31e7-49b7-b260-868f441e862b",
         "flavorRef" : "http://openstack.example.com/flavors/1",
         "metadata" : {
             "My Server Name" : "Apache1"
diff --git a/nova/api/openstack/common.py b/nova/api/openstack/common.py
index 3fcb4bbdbb..56ccb9d614 100644
--- a/nova/api/openstack/common.py
+++ b/nova/api/openstack/common.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ import re
 
 from oslo_log import log as logging
 from oslo_utils import strutils
-from oslo_utils import uuidutils
 import six
 import six.moves.urllib.parse as urlparse
 import webob
@@ -548,41 +547,3 @@ def is_all_tenants(search_opts):
         # The empty string is considered enabling all_tenants
         all_tenants = 'all_tenants' in search_opts
     return all_tenants
-
-
-def image_uuid_from_href(image_href, key):
-    """If the image href was generated by nova api, strip image_href down to an
-    id and use the default glance connection params
-
-    :param image_href: URL or UUID for an image.
-    :param key: The request body key for the image_href value. This is used in
-        error messages.
-    :returns: The parsed image UUID.
-    :raises: webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest if the image_href does not have a valid
-        image UUID in it.
-    """
-    if not image_href:
-        # NOTE(mriedem): This error message is copied from how our jsonschema
-        # validation error looks.
-        msg = _("Invalid input for field/attribute %(path)s. "
-                "Value: %(value)s. %(message)s") % {
-                    'path': key, 'value': image_href,
-                    'message': (
-                        'Invalid image reference format. Specify the image '
-                        'reference by UUID or full URL.')
-                }
-        raise exc.HTTPBadRequest(explanation=msg)
-
-    image_uuid = image_href.split('/').pop()
-
-    if not uuidutils.is_uuid_like(image_uuid):
-        msg = _("Invalid input for field/attribute %(path)s. "
-                "Value: %(value)s. %(message)s") % {
-                    'path': key, 'value': image_href,
-                    'message': (
-                        'Invalid image reference format. Specify the image '
-                        'reference by UUID or full URL.')
-                }
-        raise exc.HTTPBadRequest(explanation=msg)
-
-    return image_uuid
diff --git a/nova/api/openstack/compute/rescue.py b/nova/api/openstack/compute/rescue.py
index 5cc74d6656..a4d63cb6f8 100644
--- a/nova/api/openstack/compute/rescue.py
+++ b/nova/api/openstack/compute/rescue.py
@@ -55,9 +55,8 @@ class RescueController(wsgi.Controller):
 
         instance = common.get_instance(self.compute_api, context, id)
         rescue_image_ref = None
-        if body['rescue'] and 'rescue_image_ref' in body['rescue']:
-            rescue_image_ref = common.image_uuid_from_href(
-                body['rescue']['rescue_image_ref'], 'rescue_image_ref')
+        if body['rescue']:
+            rescue_image_ref = body['rescue'].get('rescue_image_ref')
 
         try:
             self.compute_api.rescue(context, instance,
diff --git a/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/rescue.py b/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/rescue.py
index 92b6247ff3..f60bdf8864 100644
--- a/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/rescue.py
+++ b/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/rescue.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ rescue = {
             'type': ['object', 'null'],
             'properties': {
                 'adminPass': parameter_types.admin_password,
-                'rescue_image_ref': parameter_types.image_ref,
+                'rescue_image_ref': parameter_types.image_id,
             },
             'additionalProperties': False,
         },
diff --git a/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/servers.py b/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/servers.py
index 924363f592..30293285d7 100644
--- a/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/servers.py
+++ b/nova/api/openstack/compute/schemas/servers.py
@@ -25,7 +25,12 @@ base_create = {
             'type': 'object',
             'properties': {
                 'name': parameter_types.name,
-                'imageRef': parameter_types.image_ref,
+                # NOTE(gmann): In case of boot from volume, imageRef was
+                # allowed as the empty string also So keeping the same
+                # behavior and allow empty string in case of boot from
+                # volume only. Python code make sure empty string is
+                # not alowed for other cases.
+                'imageRef': parameter_types.image_id_or_empty_string,
                 'flavorRef': parameter_types.flavor_ref,
                 'adminPass': parameter_types.admin_password,
                 'metadata': parameter_types.metadata,
@@ -108,7 +113,7 @@ base_rebuild = {
             'type': 'object',
             'properties': {
                 'name': parameter_types.name,
-                'imageRef': parameter_types.image_ref,
+                'imageRef': parameter_types.image_id,
                 'adminPass': parameter_types.admin_password,
                 'metadata': parameter_types.metadata,
                 'preserve_ephemeral': parameter_types.boolean,
diff --git a/nova/api/openstack/compute/servers.py b/nova/api/openstack/compute/servers.py
index 07e9116bd3..4be1eea789 100644
--- a/nova/api/openstack/compute/servers.py
+++ b/nova/api/openstack/compute/servers.py
@@ -864,8 +864,7 @@ class ServersController(wsgi.Controller):
         if not image_href and create_kwargs.get('block_device_mapping'):
             return ''
         elif image_href:
-            return common.image_uuid_from_href(six.text_type(image_href),
-                                               'imageRef')
+            return image_href
         else:
             msg = _("Missing imageRef attribute")
             raise exc.HTTPBadRequest(explanation=msg)
@@ -899,7 +898,6 @@ class ServersController(wsgi.Controller):
         rebuild_dict = body['rebuild']
 
         image_href = rebuild_dict["imageRef"]
-        image_href = common.image_uuid_from_href(image_href, 'imageRef')
 
         password = self._get_server_admin_password(rebuild_dict)
 
diff --git a/nova/api/validation/parameter_types.py b/nova/api/validation/parameter_types.py
index 4110a5e0f0..c3e548709a 100644
--- a/nova/api/validation/parameter_types.py
+++ b/nova/api/validation/parameter_types.py
@@ -269,6 +269,14 @@ image_id = {
 }
 
 
+image_id_or_empty_string = {
+    'oneOf': [
+        {'type': 'string', 'format': 'uuid'},
+        {'type': 'string', 'maxLength': 0}
+    ]
+}
+
+
 volume_id = {
     'type': 'string', 'format': 'uuid'
 }
@@ -294,11 +302,6 @@ admin_password = {
 }
 
 
-image_ref = {
-    'type': 'string',
-}
-
-
 flavor_ref = {
     'type': ['string', 'integer'], 'minLength': 1
 }
diff --git a/nova/tests/functional/api_sample_tests/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json.tpl b/nova/tests/functional/api_sample_tests/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json.tpl
index b1306fea57..4ccb45357e 100644
--- a/nova/tests/functional/api_sample_tests/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json.tpl
+++ b/nova/tests/functional/api_sample_tests/api_samples/servers/v2.19/server-create-req.json.tpl
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
         "accessIPv6": "%(access_ip_v6)s",
         "name" : "new-server-test",
         "description" : "new-server-description",
-        "imageRef" : "%(glance_host)s/images/%(image_id)s",
+        "imageRef" : "%(image_id)s",
         "flavorRef" : "%(host)s/flavors/1",
         "metadata" : {
             "My Server Name" : "Apache1"
diff --git a/nova/tests/functional/integrated_helpers.py b/nova/tests/functional/integrated_helpers.py
index 38f21b63a3..f01993ba9a 100644
--- a/nova/tests/functional/integrated_helpers.py
+++ b/nova/tests/functional/integrated_helpers.py
@@ -120,24 +120,11 @@ class _IntegratedTestBase(test.TestCase):
     def get_invalid_image(self):
         return str(uuid.uuid4())
 
-    def _get_any_image_href(self):
-        image = self.api.get_images()[0]
-        LOG.debug("Image: %s" % image)
-
-        if self._image_ref_parameter in image:
-            image_href = image[self._image_ref_parameter]
-        else:
-            image_href = image['id']
-            image_href = 'http://fake.server/%s' % image_href
-        return image_href
-
     def _build_minimal_create_server_request(self):
         server = {}
 
-        image_href = self._get_any_image_href()
-
         # We now have a valid imageId
-        server[self._image_ref_parameter] = image_href
+        server[self._image_ref_parameter] = self.api.get_images()[0]['id']
 
         # Set a valid flavorId
         flavor = self.api.get_flavors()[0]
@@ -181,19 +168,11 @@ class _IntegratedTestBase(test.TestCase):
 
     def _build_server(self, flavor_id):
         server = {}
-
-        image_href = self._get_any_image_href()
         image = self.api.get_images()[0]
         LOG.debug("Image: %s" % image)
 
-        if self._image_ref_parameter in image:
-            image_href = image[self._image_ref_parameter]
-        else:
-            image_href = image['id']
-            image_href = 'http://fake.server/%s' % image_href
-
         # We now have a valid imageId
-        server[self._image_ref_parameter] = image_href
+        server[self._image_ref_parameter] = image['id']
 
         # Set a valid flavorId
         flavor = self.api.get_flavor(flavor_id)
@@ -243,19 +222,8 @@ class InstanceHelperMixin(object):
                                              flavor_id=None):
         server = {}
 
-        if image_uuid:
-            image_href = 'http://fake.server/%s' % image_uuid
-        else:
-            image = api.get_images()[0]
-
-            if 'imageRef' in image:
-                image_href = image['imageRef']
-            else:
-                image_href = image['id']
-                image_href = 'http://fake.server/%s' % image_href
-
         # We now have a valid imageId
-        server['imageRef'] = image_href
+        server['imageRef'] = image_uuid or api.get_images()[0]['id']
 
         if not flavor_id:
             # Set a valid flavorId
diff --git a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping.py b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping.py
index 0408cd5e2d..79a8a47d06 100644
--- a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping.py
+++ b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping.py
@@ -148,6 +148,44 @@ class BlockDeviceMappingTestV21(test.TestCase):
         params = {block_device_mapping.ATTRIBUTE_NAME: self.bdm}
         self._test_create(params, no_image=True)
 
+    @mock.patch.object(compute_api.API, '_validate_bdm')
+    @mock.patch.object(compute_api.API, '_get_bdm_image_metadata')
+    def test_create_instance_with_bdms_and_empty_imageRef(
+        self, mock_bdm_image_metadata, mock_validate_bdm):
+        mock_bdm_image_metadata.return_value = {}
+        mock_validate_bdm.return_value = True
+        old_create = compute_api.API.create
+
+        def create(*args, **kwargs):
+            self.assertThat(
+                block_device.BlockDeviceDict(self.bdm[0]),
+                matchers.DictMatches(kwargs['block_device_mapping'][0])
+            )
+            return old_create(*args, **kwargs)
+
+        self.stub_out('nova.compute.api.API.create', create)
+
+        params = {block_device_mapping.ATTRIBUTE_NAME: self.bdm,
+                  'imageRef': ''}
+        self._test_create(params)
+
+    def test_create_instance_with_imageRef_as_full_url(self):
+        bdm = [{'device_name': 'foo'}]
+        image_href = ('http://localhost/v2/fake/images/'
+                     '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6')
+        params = {block_device_mapping.ATTRIBUTE_NAME: bdm,
+                  'imageRef': image_href}
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self._test_create, params)
+
+    def test_create_instance_with_non_uuid_imageRef(self):
+        bdm = [{'device_name': 'foo'}]
+
+        params = {block_device_mapping.ATTRIBUTE_NAME: bdm,
+                  'imageRef': '123123abcd'}
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self._test_create, params)
+
     def test_create_instance_with_device_name_not_string(self):
         self.bdm[0]['device_name'] = 123
         old_create = compute_api.API.create
diff --git a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping_v1.py b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping_v1.py
index 74bae5387c..7de77077d0 100644
--- a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping_v1.py
+++ b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_block_device_mapping_v1.py
@@ -140,6 +140,51 @@ class BlockDeviceMappingTestV21(test.TestCase):
         self.mox.ReplayAll()
         self._test_create(params, no_image=True)
 
+    @mock.patch.object(compute_api.API, '_validate_bdm')
+    @mock.patch.object(compute_api.API, '_get_bdm_image_metadata')
+    def test_create_instance_with_imageRef_as_empty_string(
+        self, mock_bdm_image_metadata, mock_validate_bdm):
+        volume = {
+            'id': uuids.volume_id,
+            'status': 'active',
+            'volume_image_metadata':
+                {'test_key': 'test_value'}
+        }
+        mock_bdm_image_metadata.return_value = volume
+        mock_validate_bdm.return_value = True
+        params = {'block_device_mapping': self.bdm,
+                  'imageRef': ''}
+        old_create = compute_api.API.create
+
+        def create(*args, **kwargs):
+            self.assertEqual(kwargs['block_device_mapping'], self.bdm)
+            return old_create(*args, **kwargs)
+
+        self.stub_out('nova.compute.api.API.create', create)
+        self._test_create(params)
+
+    def test_create_instance_with_imageRef_as_full_url(self):
+        bdm = [{
+            'volume_id': self.volume_id,
+            'device_name': 'vda'
+        }]
+        image_href = ('http://localhost/v2/fake/images/'
+                      '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6')
+        params = {'block_device_mapping': bdm,
+                  'imageRef': image_href}
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self._test_create, params)
+
+    def test_create_instance_with_non_uuid_imageRef(self):
+        bdm = [{
+            'volume_id': self.volume_id,
+            'device_name': 'vda'
+        }]
+        params = {'block_device_mapping': bdm,
+                  'imageRef': 'bad-format'}
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self._test_create, params)
+
     def test_create_instance_with_volumes_disabled(self):
         bdm = [{'device_name': 'foo'}]
         params = {'block_device_mapping': bdm}
diff --git a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_rescue.py b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_rescue.py
index bd1a3dccae..ee036c467f 100644
--- a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_rescue.py
+++ b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_rescue.py
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ def fake_compute_get(*args, **kwargs):
 class RescueTestV21(test.NoDBTestCase):
 
     image_uuid = '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6'
-    image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/fake/images/%s' % image_uuid
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(RescueTestV21, self).setUp()
@@ -139,11 +138,26 @@ class RescueTestV21(test.NoDBTestCase):
                           self.controller._rescue,
                           self.fake_req, UUID, body=body)
 
-    @mock.patch('nova.compute.api.API.rescue')
-    def test_rescue_with_bad_image_specified(self, mock_compute_api_rescue):
+    def test_rescue_with_bad_image_specified(self):
         body = {"rescue": {"adminPass": "ABC123",
                            "rescue_image_ref": "img-id"}}
-        self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller._rescue,
+                          self.fake_req, UUID, body=body)
+
+    def test_rescue_with_imageRef_as_full_url(self):
+        image_href = ('http://localhost/v2/fake/images/'
+                      '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6')
+        body = {"rescue": {"adminPass": "ABC123",
+                           "rescue_image_ref": image_href}}
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller._rescue,
+                          self.fake_req, UUID, body=body)
+
+    def test_rescue_with_imageRef_as_empty_string(self):
+        body = {"rescue": {"adminPass": "ABC123",
+                           "rescue_image_ref": ''}}
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
                           self.controller._rescue,
                           self.fake_req, UUID, body=body)
 
@@ -151,7 +165,7 @@ class RescueTestV21(test.NoDBTestCase):
     def test_rescue_with_image_specified(self, mock_compute_api_rescue):
         instance = fake_compute_get()
         body = {"rescue": {"adminPass": "ABC123",
-            "rescue_image_ref": self.image_href}}
+            "rescue_image_ref": self.image_uuid}}
         resp_json = self.controller._rescue(self.fake_req, UUID, body=body)
         self.assertEqual("ABC123", resp_json['adminPass'])
 
diff --git a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_server_actions.py b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_server_actions.py
index 8606dca7b7..7ea764fbb4 100644
--- a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_server_actions.py
@@ -338,15 +338,6 @@ class ServerActionsControllerTestV21(test.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(info['image_href_in_call'], self.image_uuid)
 
     def test_rebuild_instance_with_image_href_uses_uuid(self):
-        info = dict(image_href_in_call=None)
-
-        def rebuild(self2, context, instance, image_href, *args, **kwargs):
-            info['image_href_in_call'] = image_href
-
-        self.stub_out('nova.db.instance_get',
-                fakes.fake_instance_get(vm_state=vm_states.ACTIVE))
-        self.stubs.Set(compute_api.API, 'rebuild', rebuild)
-
         # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
         body = {
             'rebuild': {
@@ -354,8 +345,9 @@ class ServerActionsControllerTestV21(test.TestCase):
             },
         }
 
-        self.controller._action_rebuild(self.req, FAKE_UUID, body=body)
-        self.assertEqual(info['image_href_in_call'], self.image_uuid)
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller._action_rebuild,
+                          self.req, FAKE_UUID, body=body)
 
     def test_rebuild_accepted_minimum_pass_disabled(self):
         # run with enable_instance_password disabled to verify adminPass
@@ -517,7 +509,7 @@ class ServerActionsControllerTestV21(test.TestCase):
                 "imageRef": "foo",
             },
         }
-        self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
                           self.controller._action_rebuild,
                           self.req, FAKE_UUID, body=body)
 
diff --git a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_serversV21.py b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_serversV21.py
index 608aecb9e4..391e08f764 100644
--- a/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_serversV21.py
+++ b/nova/tests/unit/api/openstack/compute/test_serversV21.py
@@ -1571,7 +1571,6 @@ class ServersControllerDeleteTest(ControllerTest):
 class ServersControllerRebuildInstanceTest(ControllerTest):
 
     image_uuid = '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6'
-    image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/fake/images/%s' % image_uuid
 
     def setUp(self):
         super(ServersControllerRebuildInstanceTest, self).setUp()
@@ -1594,7 +1593,7 @@ class ServersControllerRebuildInstanceTest(ControllerTest):
         self.body = {
             'rebuild': {
                 'name': 'new_name',
-                'imageRef': self.image_href,
+                'imageRef': self.image_uuid,
                 'metadata': {
                     'open': 'stack',
                 },
@@ -1604,6 +1603,29 @@ class ServersControllerRebuildInstanceTest(ControllerTest):
         self.req.method = 'POST'
         self.req.headers["content-type"] = "application/json"
 
+    def test_rebuild_server_with_image_not_uuid(self):
+        self.body['rebuild']['imageRef'] = 'not-uuid'
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller._action_rebuild,
+                          self.req, FAKE_UUID,
+                          body=self.body)
+
+    def test_rebuild_server_with_image_as_full_url(self):
+        image_href = ('http://localhost/v2/fake/images/'
+            '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6')
+        self.body['rebuild']['imageRef'] = image_href
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller._action_rebuild,
+                          self.req, FAKE_UUID,
+                          body=self.body)
+
+    def test_rebuild_server_with_image_as_empty_string(self):
+        self.body['rebuild']['imageRef'] = ''
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller._action_rebuild,
+                          self.req, FAKE_UUID,
+                          body=self.body)
+
     def test_rebuild_instance_name_with_spaces_in_the_middle(self):
         self.body['rebuild']['name'] = 'abc   def'
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
@@ -1751,7 +1773,7 @@ class ServersControllerRebuildInstanceTest(ControllerTest):
     def test_rebuild_bad_personality(self):
         body = {
             "rebuild": {
-                "imageRef": self.image_href,
+                "imageRef": self.image_uuid,
                 "personality": [{
                     "path": "/path/to/file",
                     "contents": "INVALID b64",
@@ -1766,7 +1788,7 @@ class ServersControllerRebuildInstanceTest(ControllerTest):
     def test_rebuild_personality(self):
         body = {
             "rebuild": {
-                "imageRef": self.image_href,
+                "imageRef": self.image_uuid,
                 "personality": [{
                     "path": "/path/to/file",
                     "contents": base64.b64encode("Test String"),
@@ -2437,10 +2459,9 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest, self._test_create_instance,
                           flavor=1324)
 
-    def test_create_server_bad_image_href(self):
-        image_href = 1
+    def test_create_server_bad_image_uuid(self):
         self.body['server']['min_count'] = 1
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href,
+        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = 1,
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
                           self.controller.create,
@@ -2505,23 +2526,24 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
                 "Flavor's disk is too small for requested image."):
             self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body)
 
-    def test_create_instance_image_ref_is_bookmark(self):
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/fake/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
-        self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
-        res = self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body).obj
+    def test_create_instance_with_image_non_uuid(self):
+        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = 'not-uuid'
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller.create,
+                          self.req, body=self.body)
 
-        server = res['server']
-        self.assertEqual(FAKE_UUID, server['id'])
-
-    def test_create_instance_image_ref_is_invalid(self):
-        image_uuid = 'this_is_not_a_valid_uuid'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/fake/images/%s' % image_uuid
-        flavor_ref = 'http://localhost/fake/flavors/3'
+    def test_create_instance_with_image_as_full_url(self):
+        image_href = ('http://localhost/v2/fake/images/'
+            '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6')
         self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
-        self.body['server']['flavorRef'] = flavor_ref
-        self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
-        self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest, self.controller.create,
+        self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
+                          self.controller.create,
+                          self.req, body=self.body)
+
+    def test_create_instance_with_image_as_empty_string(self):
+        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = ''
+        self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
+                          self.controller.create,
                           self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_no_key_pair(self):
@@ -2682,10 +2704,7 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
         # test with admin passwords disabled See lp bug 921814
         self.flags(enable_instance_password=False)
 
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
         self.flags(enable_instance_password=False)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/fake/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         res = self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body).obj
 
@@ -2694,50 +2713,36 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(FAKE_UUID, server['id'])
 
     def test_create_instance_name_too_long(self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
         self.body['server']['name'] = 'X' * 256
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError, self.controller.create,
                           self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_name_with_spaces_in_the_middle(self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
         self.body['server']['name'] = 'abc    def'
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_name_with_leading_trailing_spaces(self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
         self.body['server']['name'] = '   abc    def   '
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
                           self.controller.create, self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_name_with_leading_trailing_spaces_in_compat_mode(
             self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
         self.body['server']['name'] = '   abc    def   '
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.req.set_legacy_v2()
         self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_name_all_blank_spaces(self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
         image_uuid = '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % image_uuid
         flavor_ref = 'http://localhost/fake/flavors/3'
         body = {
             'server': {
                 'name': ' ' * 64,
-                'imageRef': image_href,
+                'imageRef': image_uuid,
                 'flavorRef': flavor_ref,
                 'metadata': {
                     'hello': 'world',
@@ -2754,9 +2759,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
                           self.controller.create, req, body=body)
 
     def test_create_az_with_leading_trailing_spaces(self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['availability_zone'] = '  zone1  '
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
@@ -2764,10 +2766,7 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_az_with_leading_trailing_spaces_in_compat_mode(
             self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
         self.body['server']['name'] = '   abc    def   '
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['availability_zones'] = '  zone1  '
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.req.set_legacy_v2()
@@ -2776,9 +2775,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
             self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance(self):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         res = self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body).obj
 
@@ -2793,14 +2789,12 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
         self.stubs.Set(keypairs.Keypairs, 'server_create',
                        fake_keypair_server_create)
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
         image_uuid = '76fa36fc-c930-4bf3-8c8a-ea2a2420deb6'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % image_uuid
         flavor_ref = 'http://localhost/123/flavors/3'
         body = {
             'server': {
                 'name': 'server_test',
-                'imageRef': image_href,
+                'imageRef': image_uuid,
                 'flavorRef': flavor_ref,
                 'metadata': {
                     'hello': 'world',
@@ -2818,9 +2812,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_pass_disabled(self):
         self.flags(enable_instance_password=False)
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         res = self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body).obj
 
@@ -2837,8 +2828,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
                                                    'cpuset': None,
                                                    'memsize': 0,
                                                    'memtotal': 0})
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
                           self.controller.create, self.req, body=self.body)
@@ -2855,8 +2844,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_too_much_metadata(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata']['vote'] = 'fiddletown'
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPForbidden,
@@ -2864,8 +2851,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_metadata_key_too_long(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata'] = {('a' * 260): '12345'}
 
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
@@ -2874,8 +2859,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_metadata_value_too_long(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata'] = {'key1': ('a' * 260)}
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
@@ -2883,8 +2866,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_metadata_key_blank(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata'] = {'': 'abcd'}
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
@@ -2892,8 +2873,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_metadata_not_dict(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata'] = 'string'
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
@@ -2901,8 +2880,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_metadata_key_not_string(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata'] = {1: 'test'}
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
@@ -2910,8 +2887,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
     def test_create_instance_metadata_value_not_string(self):
         self.flags(quota_metadata_items=1)
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['metadata'] = {'test': ['a', 'list']}
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(exception.ValidationError,
@@ -2923,8 +2898,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
                           self._test_create_extra, params)
 
     def test_create_instance_invalid_key_name(self):
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/2'
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['key_name'] = 'nonexistentkey'
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
@@ -2939,18 +2912,14 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
         self._check_admin_password_len(res["server"])
 
     def test_create_instance_invalid_flavor_href(self):
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/2'
         flavor_ref = 'http://localhost/v2/flavors/asdf'
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['flavorRef'] = flavor_ref
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
                           self.controller.create, self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_invalid_flavor_id_int(self):
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/2'
         flavor_ref = -1
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['flavorRef'] = flavor_ref
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
@@ -2964,22 +2933,12 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
                           self.controller.create, self.req, body=self.body)
 
     def test_create_instance_bad_flavor_href(self):
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/2'
         flavor_ref = 'http://localhost/v2/flavors/17'
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         self.body['server']['flavorRef'] = flavor_ref
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
                           self.controller.create, self.req, body=self.body)
 
-    def test_create_instance_bad_href(self):
-        image_href = 'asdf'
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
-        self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
-
-        self.assertRaises(webob.exc.HTTPBadRequest,
-                          self.controller.create, self.req, body=self.body)
-
     def test_create_instance_local_href(self):
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
         res = self.controller.create(self.req, body=self.body).obj
@@ -3340,9 +3299,6 @@ class ServersControllerCreateTest(test.TestCase):
 
 class ServersControllerCreateTestV219(ServersControllerCreateTest):
     def _create_instance_req(self, set_desc, desc=None):
-        # proper local hrefs must start with 'http://localhost/v2/'
-        image_href = 'http://localhost/v2/images/%s' % self.image_uuid
-        self.body['server']['imageRef'] = image_href
         if set_desc:
             self.body['server']['description'] = desc
         self.req.body = jsonutils.dump_as_bytes(self.body)
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/imageRef-as-uuid-only-0164c04206a42683.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/imageRef-as-uuid-only-0164c04206a42683.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b9232cdee7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/imageRef-as-uuid-only-0164c04206a42683.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - imageRef input to the REST API is now restricted
+    to be UUID or an empty string only. imageRef
+    input while create, rebuild and rescue server etc
+    must be a valid UUID now. Previously, a random
+    image ref url containing image UUID was accepted.
+    But now all the reference of imageRef must be a
+    valid UUID (with below exception) otherwise API
+    will return 400.
+
+    Exception- In case boot server from volume.
+    Previously empty string was allowed in imageRef
+    and which is ok in case of boot from volume.
+    Nova will keep the same behavior and allow empty
+    string in case of boot from volume only and 400
+    in all other case.