---
title: Get started · Cloudflare Spectrum docs
description: Spectrum is available on all paid plans. Pro and Business support selected protocols only, whereas Enterprise supports all TCP and UDP based traffic. Refer to Configuration options for more configuration details.
lastUpdated: 2024-12-16T22:33:26.000Z
source_url:
  html: https://zt-dark-mode-changelog.preview.developers.cloudflare.com/spectrum/get-started/index.md
  md: https://zt-dark-mode-changelog.preview.developers.cloudflare.com/spectrum/get-started/
---

Spectrum is available on all paid plans. Pro and Business support selected protocols only, whereas Enterprise supports all TCP and UDP based traffic. Refer to [Configuration options](https://developers.cloudflare.com/spectrum/reference/configuration-options/) for more configuration details.

To create a Spectrum application, you can either use an IP address, a CNAME Record or a load balancer. Independently of the method you use, you can create the application through the dashboard or via [API](https://developers.cloudflare.com/api/resources/spectrum/subresources/apps/methods/list/).

Certain fields in Spectrum request and response bodies require an Enterprise plan. Refer to the [Settings by plan](https://developers.cloudflare.com/spectrum/reference/settings-by-plan/) page for more details.

## Create a Spectrum application using an IP address

To create a Spectrum application using an IP address, Cloudflare normally assigns you an arbitrary IP from Cloudflare’s IP pool to your application. If you want to use your own IP addresses, you can use [BYOIP](https://developers.cloudflare.com/spectrum/about/byoip/) or you can also use a [Static IP](https://developers.cloudflare.com/spectrum/about/static-ip/). In these two last cases, you need to create your Spectrum application through the API, as these features are not available via dash. When using the API, the field `origin_direct` takes as input the IP address.

## Create a Spectrum application using a CNAME record

To create a Spectrum application using a CNAME record, you will need to create a [CNAME record](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/dns-records/dns-cname-record/) on your Cloudflare hosted zone that points to your origin's hostname. This is required to resolve to your hostname origin. Refer to [Create DNS records](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/manage-dns-records/how-to/create-dns-records/#create-dns-records), for more information. When using a CNAME as an origin, note that Cloudflare needs to be authoritative for that zone. When using the API, the `origin_dns` field takes as input the CNAME record.

## Create a Spectrum application using a load balancer

To create a Spectrum application using a load balancer, you will need to generate a load balancer from the dashboard or via the API. Refer to the [Load Balancing documentation](https://developers.cloudflare.com/load-balancing/additional-options/spectrum/#1-configure-your-load-balancer) for more details.

Note

To prevent issues with DNS resolution for a Spectrum application, do not use the same Spectrum hostname as a current Load Balancing hostname.

## View traffic

You can now proxy traffic through Cloudflare without additional configuration. As you run traffic through Cloudflare, you will see the last minute of traffic from **Spectrum** in the dashboard.

If you have any feedback, please [let us know](https://community.cloudflare.com/c/website-application-performance/spectrum/48).
