# Create an Instance

## Step 1 - Sign in and go to create

1. Go to [**zenConsole**](https://console.zenlayer.com/) and log in with your account.
2. On the left menu bar, go to **Compute** > **Virtual Machine** > **Virtual Machine Instance**, and click **Create Virtual Machine Instance**

## Step 2 - Basic configuration

### **Location**

Select the location where you need your instance.

### **Configuration**

Four types of specifications are supported: Memory-optimized (Dedicated vCPU), Compute-optimized (Dedicated vCPU), General-purpose (Dedicated vCPU) and Basic compute (Shared vCPU).

See [**Models**](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/overview/models-zones-and-operating-system#models) for detailed information about all of these specifications.

### **OS**

Support CentOS, Ubuntu and Windows operating system.

### **Storage**

* System disk: the cloud storage space used to store operating system. System disk ranges from 1 GB to 100 GB, based on multiples of 20 GB.
* Additional data disk: extra storage space added to instance. You can add 10 disks at most with one disk of a maximum size of 2 TB.

### **Authentication**

Support root password generated by the system and the password set by yourself.\
\ <img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5961bea9ac389c1aa2f03164b5622f10a99895e1%2FIcon.svg?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line"><mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>

* <mark style="color:blue;">It is highly recommended to change your password immediately for security after receiving email notification with password.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">The password must be 8 to 16 characters in length, containing all the following types: upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.</mark>
* <mark style="color:blue;">Please remember your password and keep it safe.</mark>

### **Label**

Give your instance a unique name to identify.\
\ <img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5961bea9ac389c1aa2f03164b5622f10a99895e1%2FIcon.svg?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line"><mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>\ <mark style="color:blue;">The hostname must be 2 to 64 characters in length, and start with a letter or a number, containing only alphanumeric characters, dashes, and periods.</mark>

## Step **3** - Bandwidth, network and security group configuration

### **Bandwidth cap**

Set the upper limit of the bandwidth for the public outbound network of your instance, that is the maximum rate at which your instance can transmit data to the public network.

### **Network**

Select existing networks and subnets or click **Create New Network** to create new ones.

* Network\
  A network can be a private IP network segment, and 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12 and 192.168.0.0/16 are supported. Instances in one network can communicate securely. You can create two networks in one location.
* Subnet\
  A network can be separated into subnets. Instances in different subnets of the same network can communicate securely. You can create 3 subnets in one network.\ <img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5961bea9ac389c1aa2f03164b5622f10a99895e1%2FIcon.svg?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line"><mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>\ <mark style="color:blue;">See</mark> [<mark style="color:purple;">**Create a Network**</mark> ](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/virtual-machine/get-started/network-and-security/create-a-network)<mark style="color:blue;">for more details.</mark>

### **Security group**

Security groups allow you to secure your instance by explicitly defining which type of traffic is allowed to reach it.\
You can deploy 2 security group on an instance at most. A maximum of 400 rules are allowed in one security group.\
You can select existing security groups or click **Create New Security Group** to create a new one.\ <img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5961bea9ac389c1aa2f03164b5622f10a99895e1%2FIcon.svg?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line"><mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>

<mark style="color:blue;">See</mark> [<mark style="color:purple;">**Create a Security Group**</mark>](https://docs.console.zenlayer.com/welcome/virtual-machine/get-started/network-and-security/create-a-security-group) <mark style="color:blue;">for more details about how to create security groups.</mark>

## ​​​​​​Step **4** - Check your order

Select the instance quantity you need on the lower left conner, check resource and price, check the permission, and click **Create**.

<img src="https://3201622183-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9X3FDdkCL2HzhbPpPMFt%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5961bea9ac389c1aa2f03164b5622f10a99895e1%2FIcon.svg?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line"><mark style="color:blue;">**Note**</mark>

<mark style="color:blue;">You can create 999 instances at most. If you need more, please issue a ticket on zenConsole or directly contact Zenlayer sales.</mark>