This topic describes how you can start using Alibaba Cloud as an individual or enterprise user. This topic covers the basics, including how to create an Alibaba Cloud account, manage user identities and permissions, use the Alibaba Cloud Management Console, and manage costs on the cloud.
Individual users
Create an Alibaba Cloud account.
An Alibaba Cloud account is required to use Alibaba Cloud services. For more information, see Sign up with Alibaba Cloud.
Complete real-name verification.
Real-name verification is required if you plan to purchase resources or deploy services in regions inside the Chinese mainland, excluding Hong Kong, China. For more information, see Real-name registration FAQs.
(Optional) Take security precautions.
For security reasons, we recommend that you take at least one of the following security precautions: Periodically rotate your logon password or enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). For more information, see Complete security settings for an Alibaba Cloud account.
Create and authorize a Resource Access Management (RAM) user.
For security reasons, we recommend that you create a RAM user and grant the administrator permissions (AdministratorAccess) to the RAM user after you complete the basic settings of your Alibaba Cloud account. You can use the RAM user to manage all resources under your Alibaba Cloud account. For more information, see Create a RAM user and Grant permissions to the RAM user.
Before you call API operations, you must use the AccessKey pair to complete identity verification.
For more information about how to create and obtain AccessKey pairs, see Create AccessKey.
Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console as a RAM user.
The Alibaba Cloud Management Console is a web application that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for you to manage Alibaba Cloud services. For more information, see Use the Alibaba Cloud Management Console.
Enterprise users
Create an Alibaba Cloud account.
Before you use Alibaba Cloud services, you must create an Alibaba Cloud account. For more information, see Sign up with Alibaba Cloud.
Perform real-name verification for enterprises.
You must complete real-name verification for enterprises before you start to use Alibaba Cloud services. For more information, see Enterprise verification FAQs.
(Optional) Complete security settings for your Alibaba Cloud account.
For security reasons, we recommend that you complete at least one of the following security settings: Change the logon password or enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). For more information, see Complete security settings for an Alibaba Cloud account.
Create and authorize a RAM user.
For security reasons, we recommend that you create a RAM user and grant the administrator permissions (AdministratorAccess) to the RAM user after you complete the basic settings of your Alibaba Cloud account. You can use the RAM user to manage all resources under your Alibaba Cloud account. For more information, see Create a RAM user and Grant permissions to the RAM user.
Create other RAM users by using the RAM administrator.
For more information, see step 5.
(Optional) Create a custom policy.
For more information, see Create a custom policy.
Authorize RAM users.
For more information, see step 5.
Before you call API operations, you must use the AccessKey pair to complete identity verification.
For more information about how to create and obtain AccessKey pairs, see Create AccessKey.
Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console as a RAM user.
The Alibaba Cloud Management Console is a web application that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for you to manage Alibaba Cloud services. For more information, see Use the Alibaba Cloud Management Console.
References
This topic provides a best practice to help you get started with Alibaba Cloud. For more information, see the following topics: