# Create an instance (virtual machine)

> Learn how to create a virtual machine through the CubeCMP management interface.

This page explains how to create a new compute instance, also known as a virtual machine, through the CubeCMP management interface.

## Virtual machine creation overview {#virtual-machine-creation-overview}

Creating a compute instance allows you to provision virtualized resources to run workloads in your CubeCMP environment. This section walks you through the instance creation workflow and the required configuration options.

## Create an instance {#create-an-instance}

1. In the CubeCMP management console, go to the **Instances** page.
   The **Instances** screen appear and the **+ Add Instance** tab appears.

   ![Instances page](/assets/compute/launch-instance-1-instances-page.jpg)

2. Click on **+ Add Instance** to start the instance creation workflow.
3. Configure the instance parameters:
   1. To configure the instnace image type, choose an image from the available **Distributions**, **Snapshots**, **Backups**, or **Custom Images** options.
   2. To configure the resources allocated to the instance, select an instance type based on performance requirements.

      ![Choose an image and select an instance type](/assets/compute/launch-instance-2-image-and-type.jpg)

   3. To enable remote and console access, configure **SSH Key Authentication** toggle to choose an authentication method.
      1. To use an **SSH key** for authentication, toggle on the **SSH Key authentication** method. To learn how to upload and use an SSH key, reference [Security Keys](./add-security-keys.md).
   4. To configure additional storage for your instace, add volumes in the **Volume** section.

      ![Authentication and Volume sections](/assets/compute/launch-instance-3-auth-volume.jpg)

   5. To add in additional first time setup processes, click **Import**. The import process allows you to choose a custom setup script for the newly create instances.
4. If approval and instance resource expiration is required:
   1. Go to **Approval and Expiration**. Click **Justification** and enter a justification for resource request for administrator approval.
   2. Click **Choose Expiration Period** and set an expiration date for the request resource if required.
5. To set how many instances to create, click **How many instances?**, and set the desired instance name and tags.

   ![Import, Approval and Expiration, and Finalize sections](/assets/compute/launch-instance-4-import-approval-finalize.jpg)

6. To create the instance, click **Create Instance**.

   ![Create Instance button](/assets/compute/launch-instance-5-create-button.jpg)

After creation, the instance appears on the Instances page with its current status and resource details.

## Rename instance {#rename-instance}

1. In the CubeCMP management console, go to the **Instances** page.
2. Click on **ellipsis icon (three dots)** to the right of instance status.

   ![Instance actions menu](/assets/compute/launch-instance-6-rename-menu.jpg)

3. Select **Rename**.
4. Enter a new **Instance Name**.

   ![Rename Instance dialog](/assets/compute/launch-instance-7-rename-dialog.jpg)

5. Click **Save**.