> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/databases/mariadb/how-tos/v2/create-mariadb-cluster.md).
# Create MariaDB Cluster
Learn how to create a MariaDB v2 cluster: configure version, instances, backup retention, resources, networking, and maintenance windows on IONOS Cloud
Using this guide, you can create a MariaDB cluster in the DCD using the new v2 infrastructure.
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**Prerequisites:** Before setting up a database, make sure you are working within a provisioned [VDC](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#vdc) that contains at least one [virtual machine](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#virtual-machine-vm) from which to access the database. The VM you create is counted against the quota allocated in your contract.
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**Note:** Database Manager is available only for contract administrators, owners, and users with **Access and manage DBaaS** privilege. You can set the privilege through the DCD group privileges.
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## Navigate to MariaDB cluster overview
1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Databases** > **MariaDB**.
2\. From the **MariaDB cluster overview** page, click **Create cluster**.
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## Define cluster properties
In the **Properties** section, specify the following:
1\. **Cluster name:** Enter a name for the cluster.
2\. **Location:** Select the region where the cluster is deployed, for example **Germany / Berlin (de/txl)**. Each cluster is bound to a region-specific API endpoint, and the location you select determines which endpoint manages the cluster. This cannot be changed after the cluster is created.
3\. *(Optional)* **Description:** Enter a human-readable description for the cluster.
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## Configure the cluster
In the **Cluster configuration** section, enter the following details:
1\. **Version:** Select the MariaDB version for the cluster. space.vars.ionos\_cloud supports MariaDB Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, starting from MariaDB 10.6, for example **10.6** or **10.11**.
2\. **Instances:** Enter the number of instances in the cluster. A value of **1** creates a single-instance cluster. Values **2–5** create a replicated cluster with one primary and n-1 secondary instances. You can create a maximum of five instances within a cluster.
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**Note:** Replication between the primary and secondary instances is always **asynchronous**. The primary instance does not wait for a secondary to confirm the data has been written, so the cluster can lose some committed transactions to ensure availability.
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3\. **Backup:** Select the Object Storage region where cluster backups are stored, for example **eu-central-3**.
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**Note:** For geographic data safety, consider choosing a backup location that differs from the cluster's own region.
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4\. **Retention days:** Enter the number of days backups are retained before being automatically deleted. You can set a value between **1** and **365**.
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## (Optional) Restore from a backup
To initialize the new cluster with data from an existing backup, go to the **Restore configuration** section and select **Restore cluster from backup**, then specify the following:
1\. **Source backup:** Select the backup to restore from.
2\. **Recovery target datetime:** Select a date and time within the displayed recovery window. The cluster is restored from the backup data up to that point in time. If left empty, the backup is applied in its entirety.
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**Note:** A restored backup also includes its stored credentials; credentials you provide later in **User Creation** override those from the backup.
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## Configure Observability
In the **Observability** section, you can turn on the following:
1\. **Enable logs:** Turn on to forward cluster logs to your logging endpoint.
2\. **Enable metrics:** Turn on to forward cluster metrics to your monitoring endpoint.
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**Note:** Both settings are turned off by default. Observability services must be activated for your contract before logs and metrics can be collected; if not activated, these settings are accepted but have no effect until the service is activated.
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## Select the required number of resources
In the **Resources** section, specify the number of resources to associate with the cluster, per instance:
1\. **Number of CPUs (per instance):** Select the number of dedicated CPU cores using the slider.
2\. **RAM Size (per instance):** Select the amount of RAM, in GB, using the slider.
3\. **Storage Size (per instance):** Select the amount of storage, in GB, using the slider. Storage size can only be increased after the cluster is created; it cannot be reduced.
The totals shown below each slider (for example, **12 CPUs in total**) reflect the combined resources across all instances in the cluster.
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{% step %}
## Connect the data center with the cluster
In the **Data Center connection** section, provide the following information to connect your cluster with the datacenter:
1\. **Network configuration:** Select a datacenter from the available list.
2\. **VDC LAN:** Select a LAN for your datacenter.
3\. **Private IP address:** Enter the private IP address for the cluster's primary instance, in CIDR notation. For more information, see [Private IP Address Ranges](https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/private-network/private-ip-address-ranges/).
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Make sure the selected private IP address is not already in use within the DCD. The following IP address ranges cannot be used with MariaDB services:
* `10.208.0.0/12`
* `10.233.0.0/18`
* `192.168.230.0/24`
* `10.233.64.0/18`
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{% endstep %}
{% step %}
## Set the maintenance window
In the **Maintenance Period** section, you can set a maintenance day and time:
1\. **Day:** Select a day from the drop-down list, for example **Sunday**.
2\. **Start Time (UTC):** Enter a start time for the maintenance window.
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**Note:** The maintenance timeframe is your selected start time (UTC) plus 4 hours. If not specified, the timeframe for maintenance can be anytime Mon - Fri, 7 AM - 5 PM.
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{% endstep %}
{% step %}
## Create the database user
In the **User Creation** section, provide the following details:
1\. **Username:** Enter a username to provide access to the MariaDB cluster.
2\. **Password:** Enter a password for the respective user.
3\. **Database:** Enter a name for the initial database to be created.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** If the user already exists in the restored backup, its credentials will be overwritten.
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**Note:** **Estimated costs** are calculated and displayed based on the configuration entered so far. This estimate is exclusive of certain variables, such as traffic, which are not considered.
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## Save the cluster
Click **Save** to create the MariaDB cluster.
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**Result:** Your MariaDB cluster is created. Its **STATE** is set to **PROVISIONING** while the cluster is being created. Once complete, the cluster returns to **AVAILABLE**.
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## Next steps
* [View MariaDB Clusters](/cloud/databases/mariadb/how-tos/v2/view-mariadb-clusters.md): View the details and status of your newly created cluster.
* [Update a MariaDB Cluster](/cloud/databases/mariadb/how-tos/v2/update-mariadb-cluster.md): Modify cluster properties such as instances, resources, and maintenance settings.
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