# Data Center Designer

The Data Center Designer (DCD) is a unique tool for creating and managing your [<mark style="color:blue;">virtual data centers</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#vdc). DCD's graphical user interface makes data center configuration intuitive and straightforward. You can drag-and-drop virtual elements to set up and configure data center infrastructure components.

As is the case with a physical data center, you can use the DCD to connect various virtual elements to create a complete hosting infrastructure. For more information on DCD features, you can visit the [<mark style="color:blue;">First Steps</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/~/revisions/5wuXj7QmyFwJl8Wh3LBN/getting-started/tutorials/access-the-dcd) page.

![Create an entire hosting infrastructure using the Data Center Designer visual interface](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0a04bf8f99481b89aacf8e929748e9aae1e19078%2Fcreate_hosting_infra.png?alt=media)

The same visual design approach is used to make any adjustments at a later time. You can log in to the DCD and scale your infrastructure capacity on the go. Alternatively, you can set defaults and create new resources when needed.

### Core Functionality

The DCD allows the customer to both control and manage the following services provided by IONOS Cloud:

* [<mark style="color:blue;">**Virtual Data Centers**</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#vdc)**:** Create, configure and delete entire data centers. Cross-connect between VDCs and tailor user access across your organization.
* [<mark style="color:blue;">**Virtual Servers**</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#virtual-server)**:** Setup, pause, and restart virtual instances with customizable storage, CPU, and RAM capacity. Instances can be scaled based on usage.
* [<mark style="color:blue;">**Block Storage**</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#block-storage)**:** Upload, edit and delete your own private images or use images provided by IONOS Cloud. Create or save snapshots for use with future instances.
* **Networking:** Reserve and manage static public [<mark style="color:blue;">IP addresses</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#ip-address). Create and manage private and public LANs including firewall setups.
* **Basic Features:** Save and manage [<mark style="color:blue;">SSH keys</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#ssh-keys); connect via [<mark style="color:blue;">Remote Console</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#remote-console), launch instances via [<mark style="color:blue;">cloud-init</mark>](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-Mj91LQrRzfHvr2Jl2Rv/general-information/glossary-of-terms#cloud-init), record networking via flow logs and monitor your instance use with monitoring software.

### Compatibility

As a web application, the DCD is supported by the following browsers:

* Google Chrome™: Version 30+
* Mozilla® Firefox®: Version 28+
* Apple® Safari®: Version 5+
* Opera™: Version 12+
* Microsoft® Internet Explorer®: Version 11 & Edge

We recommend using Google Chrome™ and Mozilla® Firefox®.

### Next Steps

If you are ready to get started with the Data Center Designer, consult our beginner [<mark style="color:blue;">Tutorials</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/~/revisions/5wuXj7QmyFwJl8Wh3LBN/getting-started/tutorials). These step-by-step instruction sets will teach you how to [<mark style="color:blue;">create a basic Virtual Data Center</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/~/revisions/5wuXj7QmyFwJl8Wh3LBN/getting-started/tutorials/setup-data-center) and configure initial user settings.