Create Astra DB databases

To deploy an Astra DB that is optimized for real-time applications that require large data volume, low latency, and flexible data models, create your Astra database.

For real-time generative AI and Machine Learning (ML) applications, deploy a serverless Astra database with Vector Search, create your Astra Vector Search.

Create your database

Complete the following steps to create and launch your DataStax Astra DB database.

Procedure

In your Astra DB dashboard, select Create Database.

If you need more options, contact DataStax Support.
Enter your basic details:
- Database Name: Name your database something meaningful. The database name cannot be altered after the database is created. Use only alphanumeric characters; there is no character limit.
- Keyspace Name: Name your keyspace to reflect your data model. You cannot name your keyspace “dse” or “system”. Use only alphanumeric characters and no more than 48 total characters.

Select your cloud provider and then the region where you want to launch your database from the region menu, which reflects the available regions based on your selected cloud provider.

Regions with the lock symbol require payment. When selecting a region with a lock, you have to option to upgrade to a Pay-as-you-go-plan. If you select a region without a lock, you are still on the Free plan.

You can preview the costs for the database based on read and write requests, storage, and data transfer.

Select Create Database. The Database Created! page appears.
1. Click X at the top right of the screen to return to your Astra DB dashboard.
2. Click Generate Token to download tokens generated for you.
An alert appears at the top of the screen when your database is created.

Results

You are redirected to your Organization Dashboard. The new database and status is shown under Databases. You will receive an email when your database creation is complete. Select the database name to manage or connect with your new database.

Create a serverless database with Vector Search

You are required to create a serverless Astra database with Vector Search before using its capacities to work with data. Details to consider precede the procedural steps.

Considerations

As you create a serverless Astra database with Vector Search, fill out the required fields according to these rules:

Database Name: Name your database something meaningful. The database name cannot be altered after the database is created.

Keyspace Name: Name your keyspace to reflect your data model; where all of your tables are stored within the database. You cannot name your keyspace dse or system. Use only alphanumeric characters and no more than 48 total characters. The Vector Search examples use vsearch as the keyspace name.

Provider: Choose a provider from one of the three major cloud providers; Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud (GCP), or Microsoft Azure.

When using the free plan, only the Google Cloud region is available for a serverless Astra database with Vector Search.

Region: The region associated with the chosen provider automatically populates this field.

Deploy a serverless Astra database with Vector Search

Configure the basic details to create a serverless Astra database with Vector Search.

In your Astra DB dashboard, select Create Database.
Select Serverless (with Vector).
Enter your database details:
1. Database Name.
2. Keyspace Name.
Choose a Provider.
Select Create Database.

When this database is active, a green notification appears at the top of your screen. Your Astra database with Vector Search is ready to use for your content.