# Getting Started

This document provides steps to get started with your <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> setup.

If you haven't yet, make sure to follow the [Pre Requisites](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/getting-started/pre-requisites) to get ready for install.

## Step 1 - Setup your Private Cloud Director Instance

The commercial version of <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> offers two deployment options: **SaaS or Self Hosted**. Or you can use the free community edition of <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> for your home lab / test setup.

### 1. SaaS Hosted

With SaaS Hosted model, we setup and host <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> in the cloud for you and you consume it as a SaaS service. **Your infrastructure still remains in your data center.** The SaaS hosted version of <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> communicates remotely with your infrastructure to get your private cloud setup and running. This is generally the best option for organizations that prefer the ease of use of SaaS and don't want to manage the technical complexity of hosting the product themselves.

### 2. Self Hosted

With Self Hosted model, you can host <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> on your on hardware in your data center or a co-location hosted data center. This is generally the best option for organizations with extra compliance and security requirements where SaaS hosting is not a viable option.

Follow [Self Hosted Install](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/getting-started/self-hosted/self-hosted-install) for steps to install the self hosted management plane.

### 3. Community Edition

<code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> also offers a community edition that is completely free to download and use.

Follow [Community Edition](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/getting-started/getting-started-with-community-edition) guide for steps to install <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> Community Edition.

## Step 2 - Create Cluster Blueprint & Virtualized Cluster

Once you have a <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> instance setup, next step is to start onboarding your hypervisors. Follow the steps below to create a [Cluster Blueprint](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/virtualized-cluster-blueprint) and start onboarding hypervisors.

1. Create a virtualized cluster blueprint. Follow [Virtualized Cluster Blueprint](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/virtualized-cluster-blueprint) article for more information on what cluster blueprints are and how to create one.
2. Once the cluster blueprint is created, you are now ready to create one or more virtualized clusters.
3. Follow [Create a Virtualized Cluster](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/virtualized-cluster#create-a-virtualized-cluster) for steps to create a cluster.
4. Your first virtualized cluster is now created.

## Step 3 - Add Hosts to Cluster

1. The next step is to start onboarding your physical servers or hosts and adding them to the cluster.
   1. For SaaS hosted management plane - follow [Add a Host (SaaS Deployment)](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/host#add-a-host-saas-deployment)
   2. For Self Hosted or Community Edition - follow [Add a Host (Self-Hosted & Community Edition Deployment)](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/host#add-a-host-self-hosted--community-edition-deployment)
2. Now you will have a number of hosts showing up as unauthorized in your <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code> UI.
3. Follow [Authorize Host And Assign Roles](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/host#authorize-host-and-assign-roles) to authorize one or more roles for the hosts and assign them to the cluster.

## Step 4 - Create Images and Networks

1. Follow [Image Library Images](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/images-and-image-library/image-library---images) to create your first image in your image library.
2. Create at least one [Networks And Ports](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-networking/networks-and-ports) or [Physical Network](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-networking/physical-network).

## Step 5 - Create Virtual Machines

1. Read [Virtualmachine](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/virtualized-clusters/virtualmachine) for steps to provision your first virtual machine on your cluster.

## Step 6 - Create Kubernetes Cluster

1. Read [Getting Started with Kubernetes](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.10/kubernetes-clusters/getting-started-with-kubernetes-in-pcd) to create your first Kubernetes cluster using <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code>.