docs_tfgrid_get_started/docs/mycelium-cloud/overview.md

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# What is Mycelium Cloud?

Mycelium Cloud lets you deploy and manage **Kubernetes clusters** on the decentralized ThreeFold Grid infrastructure.

Run your containerized workloads on distributed, cost-effective infrastructure with built-in security and global availability.

## How It Works

Mycelium Cloud provides a complete platform for cloud-native applications:

1. **Sign up** for an account
2. **Add credits** to fund your deployments
3. **Deploy clusters** with custom configurations
4. **Manage workloads** using standard Kubernetes tools

All running on the ThreeFold Grid's decentralized infrastructure.

## Why Use Mycelium Cloud?

### 🌍 Decentralized Infrastructure

- Deploy on ThreeFold Grid's distributed network
- No dependency on centralized cloud providers
- Global node distribution
- True infrastructure sovereignty

### 📦 Full Kubernetes Management

- **K3s clusters** - Lightweight, production-ready Kubernetes
- **Multi-master support** - High availability configurations
- **Standard tooling** - Use kubectl, Helm, and your favorite tools
- **Complete control** - Full cluster access

### 🔐 Secure by Default

- **Mycelium networking** - Encrypted peer-to-peer connections
- **No public IPs needed** - Access via Mycelium overlay network
- **End-to-end encryption** - All traffic secured
- **Private by design** - Your infrastructure, your control

### 💰 Cost Effective

- **Competitive pricing** on decentralized infrastructure
- **Pay for what you use** - Flexible resource allocation
- **No vendor lock-in** - Standard Kubernetes portability
- **Global availability** - Deploy where you need

## Key Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **K3s Kubernetes** | Lightweight, certified Kubernetes distribution |
| **Mycelium Networking** | IPv6 overlay with encrypted P2P connections |
| **High Availability** | Multi-master clusters for production workloads |
| **Global Nodes** | Deploy across worldwide ThreeFold Grid locations |
| **Standard APIs** | Use kubectl, Helm, and all Kubernetes tools |
| **Web Dashboard** | Manage clusters through intuitive UI |
| **SSH Access** | Direct node access for debugging and management |
| **Flexible Sizing** | Custom CPU, RAM, and storage configurations |

## Architecture

Mycelium Cloud uses peer-to-peer networking for direct access:

```
┌────────────────┐
│  Your Machine  │
│   (kubectl)    │
└───────┬────────┘
        │
        │ Mycelium Network
        │ (encrypted P2P)
        │
┌───────▼────────────────────────────────┐
│         Kubernetes Cluster             │
│  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐           │
│  │  Master  │  │  Worker  │           │
│  │   Node   │  │   Node   │  ...      │
│  └──────────┘  └──────────┘           │
└────────────────────────────────────────┘
     ThreeFold Grid Infrastructure
```

**Network Flow:**
- Your machine connects via Mycelium network
- Each cluster node has unique Mycelium IPv6 address
- All communication encrypted end-to-end
- Direct node access - no gateways or proxies

## Common Use Cases

### Development & Testing

- Spin up test clusters quickly
- Experiment with Kubernetes features
- CI/CD pipeline testing
- Multi-environment development

### Production Workloads

- Web applications and APIs
- Microservices architectures
- Databases and stateful services
- Background processing jobs

### Decentralized Applications

- P2P services
- Distributed computing
- Edge computing deployments
- Privacy-focused applications

### Learning Kubernetes

- Hands-on practice
- Tutorial environments
- Training clusters
- Safe experimentation

## Technology Stack

**Kubernetes:** K3s v1.26+ (production-ready, lightweight)  
**Networking:** Mycelium CNI with IPv6 support  
**Infrastructure:** ThreeFold Grid decentralized nodes  
**Management:** Web dashboard + API + kubectl  

## What You Get

When you deploy a cluster:

- ✅ **Fully configured K3s cluster** - Ready to use
- ✅ **Mycelium networking** - Secure connectivity
- ✅ **kubeconfig file** - Standard kubectl access
- ✅ **SSH access** - Direct node management
- ✅ **Dashboard monitoring** - Cluster status and metrics
- ✅ **Flexible scaling** - Add/remove nodes as needed

## Getting Started

Ready to deploy your first cluster? Here's the path:

1. **[Getting Started](/mycelium-cloud/getting-started)** - Create account and deploy
2. **[Tutorial](/mycelium-cloud/tutorial)** - Deploy your first application

<div className="info-box">

### 💡 Prerequisites

You should have:
- **Mycelium installed** - For network access ([Install guide](/mycelium-network/install))
- **kubectl installed** - For cluster management ([Install kubectl](https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/))
- **SSH key** - For node access
- **Credits** - To fund your deployments

</div>

## Pricing

Pricing is based on resource usage:
- CPU cores
- RAM allocation
- Storage capacity
- Deployment duration

Check the dashboard for current rates. The decentralized infrastructure typically offers competitive pricing compared to traditional cloud providers.

## Resources

- **Dashboard**: [vdc.grid.tf](https://vdc.grid.tf) - Deploy and manage clusters
- **Documentation**: [Mycelium Cloud Docs](https://codescalers.github.io/www_kubecloud/)
- **Kubernetes Docs**: [kubernetes.io](https://kubernetes.io/docs/)
- **Community**: [ThreeFold Telegram](https://t.me/threefold/1)
- **GitHub**: [kubecloud repository](https://github.com/codescalers/kubecloud)

## Comparison to Traditional Cloud

| Aspect | Mycelium Cloud | Traditional Cloud |
|--------|----------------|-------------------|
| Infrastructure | Decentralized | Centralized |
| Control | Full sovereignty | Vendor-controlled |
| Networking | P2P encrypted | Public IPs, gateways |
| Pricing | Competitive | Often expensive |
| Lock-in | None (standard K8s) | Vendor-specific services |
| Privacy | High | Varies by provider |
| Setup | Quick & simple | Can be complex |

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:::tip Next Step
Ready to deploy? Start with the **[Getting Started Guide](/mycelium-cloud/getting-started)** to create your first cluster.
:::