> 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/set-up-ionos-cloud/get-started.md).

# Get Started

<code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> is a robust and flexible platform that helps users build and manage their cloud infrastructure smoothly. The platform offers user-friendly cloud solutions that can be managed via the [<mark style="color:blue;">Data Center Designer (DCD)</mark>](/cloud/set-up-ionos-cloud/data-center-designer.md) or [<mark style="color:blue;">API</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/reference).

This section covers the first steps to working with the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> DCD and explores helpful advanced guides for fully configuring and managing various <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> solutions.

## First steps

Access the DCD to create and configure your first data center with <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code>.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Log in to the Data Center Designer</strong></mark></td><td>Log in to the DCD and explore the dashboard and menu options.</td><td><a href="/pages/3Wmajf52EmvXGL9FAciS">/pages/3Wmajf52EmvXGL9FAciS</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Create a Data Center</strong></mark></td><td>Create a data center and learn about individual User Interface (UI) elements.</td><td><a href="/pages/ZwbVgPSUJh4YSQE6cafi">/pages/ZwbVgPSUJh4YSQE6cafi</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Configure a Data Center</strong></mark></td><td>Configure a dedicated core server, add storage and a network, and provision the changes.</td><td><a href="/pages/gtJlTfwrGVPHuLXQVlQV">/pages/gtJlTfwrGVPHuLXQVlQV</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set User Privileges for Data Center</strong></mark></td><td>Learn how to create subusers and assign them relevant privileges to access data center.</td><td><a href="/pages/xJLBZtQlbSVf4DFf6Ozr">/pages/xJLBZtQlbSVf4DFf6Ozr</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Data Center Designer</strong></mark></td><td>Learn about <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos_cloud</code> DCD, access the core cloud services intuitively via the DCD UI, and configure and manage them.</td><td><a href="/pages/PfxQ5w12R6Zl5e6bvmIA">/pages/PfxQ5w12R6Zl5e6bvmIA</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Explore advanced guides

Dive deeper with advanced and commonly referred user guides to continue your learning.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up a Dedicated Core Server</strong></mark></td><td>Set up and manage a dedicated core server.</td><td><a href="/pages/MofRTKPK51obgu5XnN4M">/pages/MofRTKPK51obgu5XnN4M</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up a Network Load Balancer</strong></mark></td><td>Distribute incoming traffic efficiently with a network load balancer.</td><td><a href="/pages/NvhCrH1UQurGDT9HtmR7">/pages/NvhCrH1UQurGDT9HtmR7</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up a PostgreSQL Database Cluster</strong></mark></td><td>Set up a high-availability, scalable PostgreSQL database cluster for your applications.</td><td><a href="/pages/5tbcD4kZGd94ei9PEkMv">/pages/5tbcD4kZGd94ei9PEkMv</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up Block Storage</strong></mark></td><td>Configure and manage reliable block storage for your data needs.</td><td><a href="/pages/BRF274bHtlTh9QI16E1m">/pages/BRF274bHtlTh9QI16E1m</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Configure a NAT Gateway</strong></mark></td><td>Establish a secure NAT gateway for private network internet access.</td><td><a href="/pages/1L9kQMW100PhwwTCAYYS">/pages/1L9kQMW100PhwwTCAYYS</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Configure a Network on your VDC</strong></mark></td><td>Manage and configure networks within your Virtual Data Center (VDC).</td><td><a href="/pages/tRS5EdLwQ5IvHzfDS0sA">/pages/tRS5EdLwQ5IvHzfDS0sA</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up Object Storage Access</strong></mark></td><td>Set up and access scalable S3-compatible Object Storage.</td><td><a href="/pages/zj1RZ78K5f4DenaMmhxT">/pages/zj1RZ78K5f4DenaMmhxT</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Connect to Virtual Machines via SSH</strong></mark></td><td>Establish secure SSH connections to your remote servers.</td><td><a href="/pages/FRDAy50HBQjCPvmkXxCi">/pages/FRDAy50HBQjCPvmkXxCi</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up Backup Units</strong></mark></td><td>Configure and manage backup units to safeguard your data.</td><td><a href="/pages/zBXcZUcrdsAsLZO1MOZ6">/pages/zBXcZUcrdsAsLZO1MOZ6</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Configure Flow Logs</strong></mark></td><td>Set up flow logs to monitor and analyze network traffic.</td><td><a href="/pages/P9WrIyY663hInUN9cQ4T">/pages/P9WrIyY663hInUN9cQ4T</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Set Up a Kubernetes Cluster</strong></mark></td><td>Deploy and manage a Kubernetes cluster for container orchestration.</td><td><a href="/pages/GniA77uMVCcZMBL2u9ET">/pages/GniA77uMVCcZMBL2u9ET</a></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>Create Alarms and Actions</strong></mark></td><td>Set up monitoring alerts and actions for your infrastructure.</td><td><a href="/pages/Dm0JVOsv6Akhrcl2ElA2">/pages/Dm0JVOsv6Akhrcl2ElA2</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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