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Install Kong Gateway

Deployment options

The installation instructions explain how to deploy Kong Gateway in its entirety on a single node – with or without a database.

The instructions are the same for setting up a Control Plane instance in Hybrid mode. After you set up the Control Plane, you set up additional Gateway instances for the Data Planes. See Hybrid Mode Setup for details.

Installation paths

Some installation topics provide multiple package types and installation options. Choose your preferred mode when following installation steps:

• Open-source: Follow installation instructions and skip any Free or Enterprise steps.
• Free Mode: Install Kong Gateway without a license, gaining access to Kong Manager.
• Enterprise: Install Kong Gateway and add a license.

If you install the Kong Gateway Enterprise in Free mode, you can add a license at any time to gain access to Enterprise features.

Note: For deployments on Kubernetes (including Helm and OpenShift), you need to apply the license during installation.

See Kong Gateway Licensing for a feature comparison between Free Mode and the Enterprise subscription, and more information about licenses.