---
name: vmwaresolutions-completing_checklist
title: Setting up your environment for your first order
description: As of 17 July 2025, new automated installations of Red Hat® OpenShift® for VMware® are no longer available for new or existing deployments of VMware Cloud Foundation for Classic - Automated instances. You can still use or delete your existing Red Hat OpenShift for VMware automated installations until 16 July 2026. The service will no longer be available from 17 July 2026.
last-updated: 2026-04-14
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vmwaresolutions?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Setting up your environment for your first order
{: #completing_checklist}

As of 17 July 2025, new automated installations of Red Hat® OpenShift® for VMware® are no longer available for new or existing deployments of VMware Cloud Foundation for Classic - Automated instances. You can still use or delete your existing Red Hat OpenShift for VMware automated installations until 16 July 2026. The service will no longer be available from 17 July 2026.
{: deprecated}

The setup information applies only to the VMware Cloud Foundation for Classic offerings: Automated, Flexible, and Cyber Recovery.
{: note}

When you order an instance for the first time, you might be prompted to follow a set of instructions to ensure that your environment is ready for your order.

## Procedure to set up your environment for your first order
{: #completing_checklist-procedure}
{: help}
{: support}

Follow the instructions in the **Before you begin** section on the instance order page. The instructions vary depending on the instance type and whether your account meets the requirements.

The following table lists the possible instructions and additional information for you to complete the tasks.

| If you are asked to... | See... |
| ---------------------- | ------ |
| ...upgrade your account | [Upgrading to a Pay-As-You-Go account](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-upgrading-account&format=markdown#upgrade-paygo) |
| ...create an API key | [Creating a classic infrastructure API key](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/iam?topic=iam-classic_keys&format=markdown#create-classic-infrastructure-key) \n Additional steps:\n 1. In the IBM Cloud® for VMware Solutions console, retrieve your API key and username.\n 2. Click **Settings** from the left navigation panel and click **Retrieve credentials**.\n 3. Review the username and API key that are automatically entered and click **Save credentials**. |
| ...locate an account administrator because admin access is required | [Locating an IAM account administrator](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vmwaresolutions?topic=vmwaresolutions-iam_verify_permissions&format=markdown) |
| ...convert to a VRF account | [Converting your account to VRF](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-vrf-service-endpoint&interface=ui&format=markdown#vrf) |
| ...enable service endpoints | [Enabling service endpoints](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account?topic=account-vrf-service-endpoint&format=markdown#service-endpoint) \n You can then connect to certain services over the IBM Cloud® private network rather than the public network. |
| ...verify account permissions | [Permissions for the IBM Cloud infrastructure account](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vmwaresolutions?topic=vmwaresolutions-signing_required_accounts&format=markdown#signing_required_accounts-infra-permissions) |
{: caption="Information for completing before you begin tasks" caption-side="bottom"}

## Results
{: #completing_checklist-results}

* The IBM Cloud infrastructure credentials are stored in the VMware Solutions console after the first order. Future orders use the stored credentials by default.
* After you complete the instructions, they are no longer displayed next time that you are on the ordering page. You can update the credentials on the **Settings** page later on.
* If the API key for your IBM Cloud infrastructure account changes, you must update it on the **Settings** page in the VMware Solutions console.

## Related links
{: #completing_checklist-related}

* [Managing user accounts and settings](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vmwaresolutions?topic=vmwaresolutions-useraccount&format=markdown)
* [FAQ for VCF for Classic](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vmwaresolutions?topic=vmwaresolutions-faq-vmwaresolutions&format=markdown)
* [Ordering Automated instances](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vmwaresolutions?topic=vmwaresolutions-vc_orderinginstance-req&format=markdown)