> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.connected.illumina.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.connected.illumina.com/dragen/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart.md).

# Getting Started

DRAGEN runs in several places. Each guide below takes you from nothing to a first completed analysis on one deployment.

Every guide follows the same shape. It tells you who the deployment suits, what you need before you start, the steps to a first run, and where to go next.

## Choose a deployment

| Deployment                        | Best for                                                                                       | Dependency                                           | Guide                                                                                  |
| --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Illumina BioInsight Platform Core | Push-button FPGA analysis. Run DRAGEN from apps, API, or CLI with no infrastructure to manage. | A BioInsight Platform Core account                   | [Platform Core](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart/platform-core.md)       |
| DRAGEN Cloud FPGA on AWS          | Command-line DRAGEN on FPGA instances in your own AWS account.                                 | An AWS account and an API key                        | [Cloud FPGA on AWS](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart/cloud-fpga-byol.md) |
| DRAGEN Software Mode              | Command-line DRAGEN on existing CPU clusters or generic cloud instances.                       | CPU compute and an API key                           | [Software Mode](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart/software-mode-byol.md)  |
| DRAGEN Server                     | Command-line DRAGEN on an on-premises server, with data staying on site.                       | A DRAGEN Server, plus rack space, power, and network | [DRAGEN Server](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart/dragen-server.md)       |

Still deciding? Compare every option in [Deployment Options](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/overview/deployment-options.md), and see DRAGEN use cases in [DRAGEN Applications](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/overview/key-applications.md).

## Try DRAGEN before you buy

A BioInsight Platform free trial covers three deployment options; BioInsight Platform Core, Software Mode, and Cloud FPGA on AWS. Start at [Start on Illumina BioInsight Platform](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/getting-started/quickstart/platform-deployments.md).

## What every guide assumes

* You have sequencing data in FASTQ, BAM, or CRAM format, or you plan to use test data. Platform Core supplies demo data with the DRAGEN bundle.
* You know which analysis you want to run. If not, see [DRAGEN Recipes](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/product-guides/dragen-v4.6/dragen-recipes.md) for tested command lines.

## Where to get help

For setup problems, see [Troubleshooting](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/reference/troubleshooting.md). To reach a person, see [Support](/dragen/dragen-v4.6/reference/technical-assistance.md).


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