> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/onboard-and-configure-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/step-1-activate-cortex-xdr.md). # Step 1: Activate Cortex XDR Watch the video [here](https://youtu.be/s4ZzhUZdmo4). For more information about setting up 2FA in the Customer Support Portal, see [Two Factor Authentication (2FA) Overview](https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA10g000000ClN9CAK#Use2FA). You can also add an IdP, which is recommended. See [How to Enable a Third Party IdP](https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA14u000000sZ8mCAE). To activate a Cortex XDR tenant, you need to log into Cortex Gateway, which is a centralized portal for activating and managing tenants, users, roles, and user groups. After activating the tenant you can then access the tenant. If you have multiple Cortex XDR tenants, you will need to repeat this task for each tenant. The activation process includes accessing Cortex Gateway, activating the tenant, and then accessing the tenant. {% hint style="warning" %} ### Prerequisite Before you begin, make sure you have the following: * Cortex XDR activation email. * Customer Support Portal Super User role is assigned to your account. Before activating your Cortex XDR tenant, you need to set up your Customer Support Portal account. See [How to Create Your Customer Support Portal User Account](https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA10g000000ClNVCA0). When you create a Customer Support Portal account you can set up two-factor authentication (2FA) to log into the Customer Support Portal, by using one of the following: * Email * Okta Verify * Google Authenticator (non-FedRAMP accounts) Users who create the Customer Support Portal account are granted the Super User role. If you are the first user to access Cortex Gateway with the Customer Support Portal Super User role, you are automatically granted Account Admin permissions for the gateway. You can activate Cortex XDR new tenants, access existing tenants, and create and manage role-based access control (RBAC) for all of your tenants. {% endhint %} How to activate Cortex XDR 1. Enable and verify access to Cortex XDR communication servers, storage buckets, and various resources in your firewall configuration. For more information, see [Enable access to required PANW resources](/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/onboard-and-configure-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/step-1-activate-cortex-xdr/enable-access-to-required-panw-resources.md). 2. Go to [Cortex Gateway](https://cortex-gateway.paloaltonetworks.com/signin/) . You can also access the link from the activation email. 3. Enter your username and password or multi-factor authentication (if set up) by using your Customer Support Portal account credentials to sign in. Once signed in, you can view the following: * Tenants that are allocated to your Customer Support Portal account and ready for activation. After activation, you cannot move your tenant to a different Customer Support Portal account. * Tenant details such as license type, number of endpoints, and purchase date. * Tenants that were activated and are now available. If you have more than one Customer Support Portal account, the tenants are displayed according to the Customer Support Portal account name. 4. In the **Available for Activation** section, use the serial number to locate the tenant that needs activation, and then click **Activate**.

Note

When you activate, a production tenant is first activated. After activation, you can set up a development tenant (subject to your license).

5. On the **Tenant Activation** page, define the following: * **Tenant Name:** Enter a name for the tenant. Use a name that is unique across your company account and up to 59 characters long. * **Region:** Geographic location where your tenant will be hosted. For more information, see [Cortex XDR supported regions](/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/onboard-and-configure-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/step-1-activate-cortex-xdr/cortex-xdr-supported-regions.md). * **Tenant Subdomain:** DNS record associated with your tenant. Enter a name that will be used to access the tenant directly using the full URL: `https://.xdr..paloaltonetworks.com` 6. Select **I agree to the terms and conditions of the Privacy policy**. 7. Click **Activate**. The activation process can take about an hour and does not require that you remain on the activation page. Cortex XDR sends a notification to your email when the process is complete. 8. After activation, from Cortex Gateway, in the **Available Tenants** when hovering over the activated tenant, do the following: * Ensure that you can successfully access the tenant by clicking the Cortex XDR tenant name (when the tenant is active). * In the dialog box, view the tenant status, region, serial number, and license details. 9. Subject to your license, activate your development tenant. 1. Hover over the activated tenant, and on the right-hand side, click the ellipsis and then click **Activate Dev Tenant**. 2. Define the development tenant name, region, and subdomain. After the development tenant is activated, you can set up your remote repository. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/onboard-and-configure-cortex-xdr/deployment-steps/step-1-activate-cortex-xdr.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.