> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ibm-developer.gitbook.io/cloudpakforapplications-appmod/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ibm-developer.gitbook.io/cloudpakforapplications-appmod/workshop-10-01-2020/day-2/istio101/exercise-2.md).

# Lab 1 - Installing Istio

We will be installing Istio using the Istio Operator. The Istio operator will manage the installation for you instead of you manually installing, upgrading, and uninstalling Istio on your cluster.

1. Download the `istioctl` CLI and add it to your PATH:

   ```
   curl -L https://istio.io/downloadIstio | ISTIO_VERSION=1.5.6 sh -
   ```

   ```
   export PATH=$PWD/istio-1.5.6/bin:$PATH
   ```
2. Deploy the Istio operator:

   ```
    istioctl operator init
   ```
3. Install the Istio `demo` configuration profile using the operator:

   ```
   $ kubectl create ns istio-system
   $ kubectl apply -f - <<EOF 
   apiVersion: install.istio.io/v1alpha1
   kind: IstioOperator
   metadata:
       namespace: istio-system
       name: example-istiocontrolplane
       spec:
           profile: demo
   EOF
   ```
4. The install will take just a couple minutes. Give the operator a few minutes to start installing the pods in the following command. Verify the installation is complete by checking for the pods in the `istio-system` namespace.

   ```
    $ kubectl get pods -n istio-system
    NAME                                   READY   STATUS    RESTARTS   AGE
    grafana-5cc7f86765-xzrxj               1/1     Running   0          17m
    istio-egressgateway-866795b5d7-s8dlp   1/1     Running   0          17m
    istio-ingressgateway-f476fdd5-pwnrz    1/1     Running   0          17m
    istio-tracing-8584b4d7f9-54rxg         1/1     Running   0          16m
    istiod-6684498666-ptktr                1/1     Running   0          17m
    kiali-696bb665-bcbv8                   1/1     Running   0          16m
    prometheus-b665549dc-h69cd             2/2     Running   0          16m
   ```

   Before you continue, make sure all the pods are deployed and either in the **`Running`** state.
5. Check the version of your Istio:

   ```
    istioctl version
   ```

   Sample output:

   ```
    client version: 1.5.6
    control plane version: 1.5.6
    data plane version: 1.5.6 (4 proxies)
   ```

   Congratulations! You successfully installed Istio into your cluster.