> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.prismacloud.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.prismacloud.io/admin-guide/32/install/getting-started.md). # Getting started Console is Prisma Cloud’s management interface. It lets you define policy and monitor your environment. Defender protects your environment according to the policies set in Console. There are a number of [Defender types](/admin-guide/32/install/deploy-defender/defender-types.md), each designed to protect a specific resource type. The primary concern for most customers getting started with Prisma Cloud is securing their container environment. To do this, install Container Defender on every host that runs containers. Container orchestrators typically provide native capabilities for deploying an agent, such as Defender, to every node in the cluster. Prisma Cloud leverages these capabilities to install Defender. For example, Kubernetes and OpenShift, offer DaemonSets, which guarantee that an agent runs on every node in the cluster. Prisma Cloud Defender, therefore, is deployed in Kubernetes and OpenShift clusters as a DaemonSet. In this section, you’ll find dedicated install guides for all popular container platforms. Each guide shows how to install Prisma Cloud for that given platform. As you adopt other cloud-native technologies, Prisma Cloud can be extended to protect those environments too. Deploy the Defender type best suited for the job. For example, today you might use Amazon EKS (Kubernetes) clusters to run your apps. This part of your environment would be protected by Container Defender. Later you might adopt AWS Lambda functions. This part of your environment would be secured by Serverless Defender. Extending Prisma Cloud to protect other types of cloud-native technologies calls for deploying the right Defender type.
getting started resource classes
All Defenders, regardless of their type, report back to Console, letting you secure hybrid environments with a single tool. The main criteria for installing Defender is that it can connect to Console. Defender connects to Console via websocket to retrieve policies and send data. ## Install guides Start your install with one of our dedicated guides. | Install procedure | Description | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [Kubernetes](https://github.com/PaloAltoNetworks/pc-docs-md/tree/main/compute-edition/32/admin-guide/install/deploy-defender/orchestrator/orchestrator.md) |

Prisma Cloud runs on any implementation of Kubernetes, whether you build the cluster from scratch or use a managed solution (also known as Kubernetes as a service). We’ve tested and validated the install on:

In some cases, there is a dedicated section for installing on a specific cloud provider’s managed solution. When there is no dedicated section, use the generic install method.

| | [OpenShift 4](/admin-guide/32/install/deploy-defender/orchestrator/openshift.md) | Prisma Cloud offers native support for OpenShift. | | [Amazon ECS](/admin-guide/32/install/deploy-defender/orchestrator/install-amazon-ecs.md) | | | [Windows](/admin-guide/32/install/deploy-defender/host/windows-host.md) | Install Defender on Windows hosts running containers. Defender is installed using a PowerShell script. | ## Encryption All network traffic is encrypted with TLS (https) for user to Console communication. Likewise, all Defender to Console communication is encrypted with TLS (WSS). --- # 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://docs.prismacloud.io/admin-guide/32/install/getting-started.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.