---
title: "Create an SFS"
description: "Create an SFS by giving it a name, then choosing a plan and a VPC."
content_type: "how-to"
product: "sfs"
platform: "MyAccount"
url: "/myaccount/sfs/how-to/create-an-sfs/"
topic: ["create-and-connect"]
---

# Create an SFS

Create an SFS to get shared file storage that several nodes can mount at once. SFS is available
in Delhi and Chennai.

## Open the create form

In MyAccount, open **Scalable File System**. For your first SFS, click **Get Started**. Once you
have one, click the **+** button, labelled **Create SFS**.

## Set the details

1. Enter a **Name** for the SFS.
2. Under **Select VPC**, choose the VPC your node is attached to. A Default VPC gives a fixed pool
   of 512 IP addresses; a Custom VPC lets you set your own addresses and subnets. If you plan to use
   backup, choose a Default VPC, because backup runs there.
3. (Optional) Under **Select Subnet (Optional)**, pick a subnet of a Custom VPC. A VPC with a
   `/28` CIDR has no subnets, so this field is left out for it.
4. Move the **SFS Size** slider to the size you need, in TB, up to 24 TB. Each size is a plan, and
   the plan also sets the IOPS: how many read and write operations the disk handles per second.
   You get 15 IOPS for each GB, so a 24 TB SFS gets 360,000 IOPS.

## Choose billing

Choose **Hourly** or **Committed**. Hourly suits an SFS you are trying out; Committed suits one you
will keep, with bigger savings on longer terms. Each committed option shows its term in days and its price for your
SFS's size.

On a Committed plan, also choose what happens when the term ends: it renews automatically, or it
switches to hourly billing. Then check the box confirming that the committed price is billed for
the whole period.

## Turn on encryption

(Optional) To encrypt the SFS's disk, check **Enable Encryption**. Encryption stays on for as long as the SFS exists, so decide now. Under **Enter Passphrase(Optional)**, set your
own passphrase, or leave it blank and E2E generates one. A passphrase is exactly 12 characters,
with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one of `! @ # $ % ^ & *`. See
[SFS encryption](/myaccount/sfs/concepts/sfs-encryption/).

## Create it

Click **Launch SFS**. The SFS appears in the list as **Creating**, then reads **Available** when
it is ready.

Creating an SFS in Delhi is restricted for newer accounts. If the dashboard stops you in Delhi,
create the SFS in Chennai instead; see [Troubleshooting SFS](/myaccount/sfs/troubleshooting/sfs/#creating-an-sfs-in-delhi-is-restricted).

Next, give your node access; see
[Grant a VPC access to an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/grant-vpc-access-to-an-sfs/) or
[Configure per-node access to an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/configure-per-node-access-to-an-sfs/).
Then mount the SFS on the node; see [Mount an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/mount-an-sfs/).