> 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-xsoar-8-on-prem/8.5/onboard-cortex-xsoar/cortex-xsoar-installation/installation.md).

# Installation

Install Cortex XSOAR by downloading and deploying an image to one or more virtual machines and then setting up and installing Cortex XSOAR on the virtual machines.

#### Deploy an image

Cortex XSOAR supports the following image files, which you download from the Cortex Gateway:

* **OVA**: Supported by VMWare.

  For more information about installing Cortex XSOAR by deploying an OVA image file, see [Install Cortex XSOAR from an OVA image](/cortex-xsoar-8-on-prem/8.5/onboard-cortex-xsoar/cortex-xsoar-installation/install-cortex-xsoar-from-an-ova-image.md).
* **VHD**: Supported by Microsoft Hyper-V.

  For more information about installing Cortex XSOAR by deploying a VHD image file, see [Install Cortex XSOAR from a VHD image](/cortex-xsoar-8-on-prem/8.5/onboard-cortex-xsoar/cortex-xsoar-installation/install-cortex-xsoar-from-a-vhd-image.md)

You can deploy the image on your platform as a single node (standalone) or a cluster of three nodes, where each node is a dedicated virtual machine (VM).

After you deploy and log into your virtual machine, a textual UI menu is displayed enabling you to configure IP settings, proxy, and trust between all notes in a cluster and then to install Cortex XSOAR.

#### Set up and install standalone

Installing on a standalone node involves:

* Setting up one VM.
* From the textual UI **Cluster Installation** menu, install the cluster from one node, including setting the IP address of the node.

#### Set up and install a cluster

Installing on a cluster involves:

* Set up multiple VMs.
* From the textual UI:
  * In the **Connect Nodes** menu, connect the VMs (establishing trust between all nodes in the cluster).
  * In the **Cluster Installation** menu, select one node to install the cluster from, including setting the IP addresses of each node.

{% hint style="info" %}

### Note

When deciding how many nodes to deploy, consider the following:

* Currently, if you deploy a single node (standalone), you can't switch to a cluster of three nodes.
* If you deploy a cluster of three nodes, coming soon you can implement out-of-the-box high availability (HA) by replicating data between the nodes in the cluster.
  {% endhint %}


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