# Create a Bucket
When creating a bucket, you must carefully consider the following settings:
* The [Bucket Types](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/concepts/bucket-types).
* Supported [service availability](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/overview#service-availability) regions.
* To enable [Object Lock](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/settings/object-lock) or not for the bucket.
## DCD
The easiest way to create a bucket is by using the DCD. You must create a bucket before you can start uploading objects to the Object Storage.
You can create either a contract-owned bucket or a user-owned bucket but the shift towards a contract-owned bucket model will be the primary focus for future Object Storage updates.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Contract-owned Buckets" %}
To create a contract-owned bucket, follow these steps:
{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisites:**
* Make sure you have the relevant permission to create the Object Storage. Only a contract owner or an administrator can create contract-owned buckets.
* You must have at least one active access key; otherwise, [Generate a Key](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/get-started/generate-key) or [activate](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/how-tos/manage-keys#activate-or-deactivate-a-key) an existing access key.
{% endhint %}
1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **IONOS Object Storage**.
2\. In the **Buckets** tab, click **Create bucket**.
3\. Choose the **Bucket region**, which determines the geographical location of data storage inside the buckets.
You can create contract-owned buckets in these regions: `eu-central-4`,`eu-central-3`, and in the `us-central-1`. For more information, see [Endpoints](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/endpoints).
4\. Enter a unique name for the **Bucket name** that adheres to the [naming conventions](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/concepts/buckets#naming-conventions) for a bucket.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note:** A bucket will not be created if a bucket with the same name already exists in the space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage.
{% endhint %}
5\. *(Optional)* Choose whether you want to enable the Object Lock for the bucket. If yes, then select the **Enable Object Lock** checkbox.
6\. If the Object Lock is enabled, select the mode of Object Lock to apply on the objects uploaded to the bucket. Choose from the **Governance mode** or **Compliance mode** and input the **Retention period** in days or years. For more information, see [Modes](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/settings/object-lock#modes).
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** When enabling Object Lock, [Versioning](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/settings/versioning) is enabled for the bucket by default.
{% endhint %}
7\. Click **Create bucket**.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** A contract-owned bucket is created in the selected region.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="User-owned Buckets" %}
To create a user-owned bucket, follow these steps:
{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** You must have at least one active access key; otherwise, [Generate a Key](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/get-started/generate-key) or [activate](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/how-tos/manage-keys#activate-or-deactivate-a-key) an existing access key.
{% endhint %}
1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **IONOS Object Storage**.
2\. In the **Buckets** tab, click **Create a bucket**.
3\. Choose the **Bucket region**, which determines the geographical location of data storage inside the buckets. You can create user-owned buckets in these regions: `de`, `eu-central-2`, and `eu-south-2`. For more information, see [Endpoints](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/endpoints).
4\. Enter a unique name for the **Bucket name** that adheres to the [naming conventions](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/concepts/buckets#naming-conventions) for a bucket.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note:** A bucket will not be created if a bucket with the same name already exists in the space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage.
{% endhint %}
5\. *(Optional)* Choose whether you want to enable the Object Lock for the bucket. If yes, then select the **Enable Object Lock** checkbox.
6\. If the Object Lock is enabled, select the mode of Object Lock to apply on the objects uploaded to the bucket. Choose from the **Governance mode** or **Compliance mode** and input the **Retention period** in days or years. For more information, see [Modes](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/settings/object-lock#modes).
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** When enabling Object Lock, [Versioning](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/settings/versioning) is enabled for the bucket by default.
{% endhint %}
7\. Click **Create bucket**.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** A user-owned bucket is created in the selected region.
{% endhint %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## API
Using the [Create Bucket](https://api.ionos.com/docs/s3/v2/#tag/Basic-Operations/operation/CreateBucket) API operation, you can create a bucket with or without the object lock.
## CLI
For details on configuring the AWS CLI tool, see [AWS CLI](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/ionos-object-storage/s3-tools/awscli).
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Contract-owned Buckets" %}
#### To create a bucket without an Object Lock
**In the `eu-central-4` region (Frankfurt, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --region eu-central-4 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-4.ionoscloud.com
```
**In the `eu-central-3` region (Berlin, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --region eu-central-3 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-3.ionoscloud.com
```
**In the `us-central-1` region (Lenexa, USA):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --region us-central-1 --endpoint-url https://s3.us-central-1.ionoscloud.com
```
#### To create a bucket with an Object Lock:
**In the `eu-central-4` region (Frankfurt, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --object-lock-enabled-for-bucket --region eu-central-4 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-4.ionoscloud.com
```
**In the `eu-central-3` region (Berlin, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --object-lock-enabled-for-bucket --region eu-central-3 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-3.ionoscloud.com
```
**In the `us-central-1` region (Lenexa, USA):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --object-lock-enabled-for-bucket --region us-central-1 --endpoint-url https://s3.us-central-1.ionoscloud.com
```
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="User-owned Buckets" %}
#### To create a bucket without an Object Lock
* **In the `de` region (Franfurt, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --region de --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-1.ionoscloud.com
```
* **In the `eu-central-2` region (Berlin, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --region eu-central-2 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-2.ionoscloud.com
```
* **In the `eu-south-2` region (Logrono, Spain):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --region eu-south-2 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-south-2.ionoscloud.com
```
#### To create a bucket with an Object Lock
* **In the `de` region (Franfurt, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --object-lock-enabled-for-bucket --region de --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-1.ionoscloud.com
```
* **In the `eu-central-2` region (Berlin, Germany):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --object-lock-enabled-for-bucket --region eu-central-2 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-central-2.ionoscloud.com
```
* **In the `eu-south-2` region (Logrono, Spain):**
```
aws s3 mb s3://my-bucket --object-lock-enabled-for-bucket --region eu-south-2 --endpoint-url https://s3.eu-south-2.ionoscloud.com
```
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
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