# 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/2025.2/getting-started/pre-requisites) to get ready for install.

## Step 1 - Choose Your Deployment Option

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. 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 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/2025.2/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/2025.2/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 Blueprint & Onboard Hypervisors

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/2025.2/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/2025.2/virtualized-clusters/virtualized-cluster-blueprint) article for more information on what cluster blueprints are and how to create one.
2. Once the blueprint is created, add hosts to the cluster and assign roles to them based on the blueprint you setup above.
   1. For SaaS hosted management plane - follow [Add a Host (SaaS Deployment)](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.2/virtualized-clusters/add-hosts-virtualized-cluster#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/2025.2/virtualized-clusters/add-hosts-virtualized-cluster#add-a-host-self-hosted--community-edition-deployment)
3. Your cluster is now created. Now we will look at steps to create a Virtual Machine.
4. Follow [Image Library Images](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.2/virtualized-clusters/image-library---images) to create your first image in your image library.
5. Create at least one [Networks And Ports](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.2/virtualized-networking/networks-and-ports) or [Physical Network](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.2/virtualized-networking/physical-network).

## Step 3 - Create Virtual Machines

1. Read [Virtual Machines](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.2/virtualized-clusters/deploying-workloads) for steps to provision your first virtual machine on your cluster.

## Step 4 - Create Kubernetes Cluster

1. Read [Getting Started with Kubernetes](https://docs.platform9.com/private-cloud-director/2025.2/kubernetes-clusters/getting-started-with-kubernetes-in-pcd) to create your first Kubernetes cluster using <code class="expression">space.vars.product\_name</code>.