# Installation

NVIDIA Run:ai is a Kubernetes-native orchestration and management platform designed to maximize GPU utilization for AI workloads.

## NVIDIA Run:ai System Components

NVIDIA Run:ai is made up of two components both installed over a [Kubernetes](https://kubernetes.io) cluster:

* **NVIDIA Run:ai control plane** - Provides resource management, handles workload submission and provides cluster monitoring and analytics.
* **NVIDIA Run:ai cluster** - Provides enhanced scheduling and workload management, extending Kubernetes native capabilities.

As part of the installation process, you will install:

* NVIDIA Run:ai [control plane](https://run-ai-docs.nvidia.com/self-hosted/getting-started/installation/install-using-helm/install-control-plane) that manages one or more clusters
* One or more NVIDIA Run:ai [clusters](https://run-ai-docs.nvidia.com/self-hosted/getting-started/installation/install-using-helm/helm-install)

Both the Nvidia Run:ai control plane and cluster/s require Kubernetes. In typical deployment, the control plane and first cluster are installed on the same Kubernetes cluster.

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## Installation Types

The self-hosted option is for organizations that cannot use a SaaS solution due to data leakage concerns. NVIDIA Run:ai self-hosting comes with two variants:

| Type       | Description                                                                           |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Connected  | The organization can freely download from the internet (though upload is not allowed) |
| Air-gapped | The organization has no connection to the internet                                    |

## Software Artifact Sources

NVIDIA Run:ai software artifacts (container images and Helm charts) can be obtained from two sources:

| Source                   | Description                                                                                        |
| ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| NVIDIA NGC (Recommended) | The NVIDIA NGC catalog. Recommended for all new and existing installations starting with v2.24.    |
| JFrog                    | The NVIDIA Run:ai artifact repository. Supported in v2.24 but will be removed in a future release. |

Before installing, complete the [Preparations](https://run-ai-docs.nvidia.com/self-hosted/getting-started/installation/install-using-helm/preparations) steps to set up access to your chosen artifact source.