---
sidebar_position: 1
slug: /cloud
---

# What is Mycelium Cloud?

Mycelium Cloud lets you deploy and manage **Kubernetes clusters** on the decentralized ThreeFold Grid infrastructure.

Run your containerized workloads on distributed, cost-effective infrastructure with built-in security and global availability.

## How It Works

Mycelium Cloud provides a complete platform for cloud-native applications:

1. **Sign up** for an account.  
2. **Add credits** to fund your deployments.  
3. **Deploy clusters** with custom configurations.  
4. **Manage workloads** using standard Kubernetes tools.  

All of this runs on the ThreeFold Grid's decentralized infrastructure.

## Why Use Mycelium Cloud?

### 🌍 Decentralized Infrastructure

- Deploy on ThreeFold Grid's distributed network.  
- No dependency on centralized cloud providers.  
- Global node distribution.  
- True infrastructure sovereignty.  

### 📦 Full Kubernetes Management

- **K3s clusters** – Lightweight, production-ready Kubernetes.  
- **Multi-master support** – High availability configurations.  
- **Standard tooling** – Use `kubectl`, Helm, and your favorite tools.  
- **Complete control** – Full cluster access.  

### 🔐 Secure by Default

- **Mycelium networking** – Encrypted peer-to-peer connections.  
- **No public IPs needed** – Access via the Mycelium overlay network.  
- **End-to-end encryption** – All traffic secured.  
- **Private by design** – Your infrastructure, your control.  

### 💰 Cost Effective

- **Competitive pricing** on decentralized infrastructure.  
- **Pay for what you use** – Flexible resource allocation.  
- **No vendor lock-in** – Standard Kubernetes portability.  
- **Global availability** – Deploy where you need.  

## Key Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **K3s Kubernetes** | Lightweight, certified Kubernetes distribution |
| **Mycelium Networking** | IPv6 overlay with encrypted P2P connections |
| **High Availability** | Multi-master clusters for production workloads |
| **Global Nodes** | Deploy across worldwide ThreeFold Grid locations |
| **Standard APIs** | Use `kubectl`, Helm, and all Kubernetes tools |
| **Web Dashboard** | Manage clusters through an intuitive UI |
| **SSH Access** | Direct node access for debugging and management |
| **Flexible Sizing** | Custom CPU, RAM, and storage configurations |

## Architecture

Mycelium Cloud uses peer-to-peer networking for direct access:

```
┌────────────────┐
│  Your Machine  │
│   (kubectl)    │
└───────┬────────┘
        │
        │ Mycelium Network
        │ (encrypted P2P)
        │
┌───────▼──────────────────────────────┐
│         Kubernetes Cluster           │
│  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐          │
│  │  Master  │  │  Worker  │   ...    │
│  │   Node   │  │   Node   │          │
│  └──────────┘  └──────────┘          │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
     ThreeFold Grid Infrastructure
```

**Network flow:**

- Your machine connects via the Mycelium network.  
- Each cluster node has a unique Mycelium IPv6 address.  
- All communication is encrypted end-to-end.  
- Direct node access – no gateways or proxies.  

## Common Use Cases

### Development & Testing

- Spin up test clusters quickly.  
- Experiment with Kubernetes features.  
- CI/CD pipeline testing.  
- Multi-environment development.  

### Production Workloads

- Web applications and APIs.  
- Microservices architectures.  
- Databases and stateful services.  
- Background processing jobs.  

### Decentralized Applications

- P2P services.  
- Distributed computing.  
- Edge computing deployments.  
- Privacy-focused applications.  

### Learning Kubernetes

- Hands-on practice.  
- Tutorial environments.  
- Training clusters.  
- Safe experimentation.  

## Technology Stack

- **Kubernetes:** K3s v1.26+ (production-ready, lightweight).  
- **Networking:** Mycelium CNI with IPv6 support.  
- **Infrastructure:** ThreeFold Grid decentralized nodes.  
- **Management:** Web dashboard + API + `kubectl`.  

## What You Get

When you deploy a cluster:

- ✅ **Fully configured K3s cluster** – Ready to use.  
- ✅ **Mycelium networking** – Secure connectivity.  
- ✅ **kubeconfig file** – Standard `kubectl` access.  
- ✅ **SSH access** – Direct node management.  
- ✅ **Dashboard monitoring** – Cluster status and metrics.  
- ✅ **Flexible scaling** – Add/remove nodes as needed.  

## Getting Started

Ready to deploy your first cluster? Start here:

1. **[Getting Started](/cloud/getting-started)** – Create an account and deploy.  
2. **[Deployment Tutorials](/cloud/tutorial)** – Deploy your first applications.  

:::info Prerequisites
You should have:

- **Mycelium installed** – For network access. See **[Install Mycelium Network](/network/install)**.  
- **`kubectl` installed** – For cluster management.  
- **SSH key** – For node access.  
- **Credits** – To fund your deployments.  
:::

## Pricing

Pricing is based on resource usage:

- CPU cores.  
- RAM allocation.  
- Storage capacity.  
- Deployment duration.  

Check the dashboard for current rates. The decentralized infrastructure typically offers competitive pricing compared to traditional cloud providers.

## Resources

- **Mycelium Cloud** – [myceliumcloud.tf](https://myceliumcloud.tf)
- **Kubernetes Basics** – [/cloud/kubernetes-basics](/cloud/kubernetes-basics)
- **FAQ** – [/cloud/faq](/cloud/faq)
- **Kubernetes Docs** – [kubernetes.io/docs](https://kubernetes.io/docs/)
- **Community Chat** – [t.me/threefold/1](https://t.me/threefold/1)
- **GitHub Repository** – [github.com/codescalers/kubecloud](https://github.com/codescalers/kubecloud)

## Comparison to Traditional Cloud

| Aspect           | Mycelium Cloud | Traditional Cloud     |
|------------------|----------------|-----------------------|
| Infrastructure   | Decentralized  | Centralized           |
| Control          | Full sovereignty | Vendor-controlled   |
| Networking       | P2P encrypted  | Public IPs, gateways  |
| Pricing          | Competitive    | Often expensive       |
| Lock-in          | None (standard K8s) | Vendor-specific  |
| Privacy          | High           | Varies by provider    |
| Setup            | Quick & simple | Can be complex        |

:::tip Next Step
Ready to deploy? Start with the **[Getting Started Guide](/cloud/getting-started)** to create your first cluster.
:::