[Yandex Cloud documentation](../../../index.md) > [Yandex Managed Service for Kubernetes](../../index.md) > [Step-by-step guides](../index.md) > Working with a BareMetal node group > Creating a node group

# Creating a node group on BareMetal servers

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You can create, modify, and delete node groups on BareMetal servers only via the management console.

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In the Managed Service for Kubernetes cluster, you can create a [node group](../../concepts/index.md#node-group) on BareMetal dedicated servers. Extend: Managed Service for Kubernetes® will rent the servers, auto-configure them, and connect them to your cluster. By default, server rent period is one day.

## Getting started {#before-you-begin}

For the ![objects-align-justify-horizontal](../../../_assets/console-icons/objects-align-justify-horizontal.svg) **BareMetal** item to appear in the node group creation menu, do the following:

1. [Create a Managed Service for Kubernetes 1.35 cluster](../kubernetes-cluster/kubernetes-cluster-create.md) with [Cilium tunnel mode](../../concepts/network-policy.md#cilium) (Cilium CNI) enabled, or make sure an existing cluster meets these requirements. Tunnel mode can only be activated at the step of creating a cluster.
1. Check the cluster network settings to get the [cluster CIDR and service CIDR](../../quickstart.md#kubernetes-cluster-create).
1. Set up a private BareMetal subnet. Make sure it belongs to a VRF and [DHCP is enabled](../../../baremetal/concepts/dhcp.md#dhcp-private) in its settings. If there is no suitable subnet, [create one](../../../baremetal/operations/subnet-create.md).
1. [Create a private connection](../../../baremetal/operations/create-vpc-connection.md) between the VRF and cloud network hosting the Managed Service for Kubernetes master. Use a virtual Cloud Router for the connection.
1. [Add](../../../cloud-router/operations/ri-prefixes-upsert.md#upsert-prefixes) the cluster CIDR and service CIDR to the virtual router as announced IP prefixes of the master's cloud network.

## Create a node group {#create-node-group}

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- Management console {#console}

  1. In the [management console](https://console.yandex.cloud), select the folder.
  1. [Navigate](https://console.yandex.cloud/link/managed-kubernetes) to **Managed Service for Kubernetes**.
  1. Select the cluster.
  1. Go to the **Cluster management** tab and select the **Node group** section.
  1. Click **Create a node group** and select ![objects-align-justify-horizontal](../../../_assets/console-icons/objects-align-justify-horizontal.svg) **BareMetal**.
  1. In the **Select a BareMetal configuration** step:

     1. Specify **Nodes per group**. This value is used to select configurations with sufficient number of available servers and does not define the group size. You can set the group size in the next step.
     1. Select a [server configuration](../../../baremetal/concepts/server-configurations.md) with appropriate CPUs, RAM, and disk type and size.

     The availability of configurations depends on the [server pool](../../../baremetal/concepts/servers.md#server-pools). A private subnet connects servers from the same pool, so in the next step, select a subnet from the pool where the selected configuration is available.

  1. In the **Node group setup** step:

     1. Specify a node group name. Optionally, add a description and labels.
     1. Make sure the **Kubernetes version** field is set to `1.35`.
     1. Optionally, update **Nodes per group**.
     1. Under **Network interfaces**, in the **Private subnet** field for the first interface, select the subnet you set up from the pool where the selected configuration is available. The subnet must have DHCP enabled, and the subnet VRF must be connected to the master's cloud network.
     1. If your nodes require internet access, enable **Internet access** for the second interface. Public IP addresses will be assigned automatically. Internet access is optional for the BareMetal node group.
     1. Configure **Maintenance frequency / Disable** and specify **Maximum unavailable nodes**.

     1. Add **Node taints** and **Node labels** as needed.

  1. Click **Create a node group**.

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After the node group is created, Extend: Managed Service for Kubernetes® will rent the selected number of servers, configure them, and connect them to the cluster. The group will appear in the list of node groups of the **BareMetal** type.

#### Useful links {#see-also}

* [Updating a node group on BareMetal servers](update-baremetal.md)
* [Deleting a node group on BareMetal servers](delete-baremetal.md)
* [Extend: Managed Service for Kubernetes®](../../../baremetal/concepts/extend/managed-kubernetes.md)
* [Creating a private connection to cloud networks](../../../baremetal/operations/create-vpc-connection.md)
* [Managing networks and IP prefixes in a virtual router](../../../cloud-router/operations/ri-prefixes-upsert.md)
* [DHCP in a Yandex BareMetal network](../../../baremetal/concepts/dhcp.md)