---
title: "Get started with Volumes"
description: "Create a Block Storage volume, attach it to a node, and mount it so the node can use it."
content_type: "get-started"
product: "volumes"
platform: "MyAccount"
url: "/myaccount/volumes/get-started/"
---

# Get started with Volumes

Give a node an extra disk: create a volume, attach it, and mount it. You need
a MyAccount account with credit, and a node in the **Powered off** or **Running** state to
attach the volume to. The mount step uses Linux; on Windows, see
[the Windows steps](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/mount-a-volume-on-windows/) instead.

## Create a volume

Open **Storage > Volumes** and click **Create Volume**. Enter a volume name, choose the size on the
slider (100 GB to 16 TB), and pick **Hourly** or **Committed**. The IOPS are set for you, scaled to
the size you choose. If you want the volume encrypted, check **Enable Encryption**, since encryption
can be set only at creation.

Click **Launch Volume**. The volume appears in your list with the status **Available** when it
is ready to attach.

## Attach the volume to a node

Select the volume, open its **Actions** menu, and choose **Attach**. Pick the node from the
list and click **Attach**. The node must be **Powered off** or **Running**. Once attached, the
volume's status changes to **Attached** and the node's name shows under **Attached To**.

## Mount the volume on the node

To use the volume, mount it inside the node's operating system. On the node, list the block devices
to find the new volume, then format and mount it:

```bash
lsblk
```

The new volume shows as an unmounted device, for example `/dev/vdb`. If it is empty (shown as
`data` by `file -s`), format it and mount it:

```bash
sudo mkfs -t xfs /dev/vdb
sudo mkdir /data
sudo mount /dev/vdb /data
```

To keep the mount across a reboot, add it to `/etc/fstab` by the device's UUID. See
[Mount a volume on Linux](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/mount-a-volume-on-linux/) for the full
steps, including how to find the UUID and what to do if the volume already has a file system
from a snapshot.

## What to do next with your volume

- [Create a volume snapshot](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume-snapshot/): back the
  volume up before a change you are not sure about.
- [Upgrade a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/upgrade-a-volume/): make it bigger as your
  storage needs grow.
- [Monitor a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/monitor-a-volume/): watch its performance and
  usage once it is attached.