4.6. Managing Floating IP Addresses¶

A virtual machine connected to a virtual private network can be accessed from public networks, such as the Internet, by means of a floating IP address. Such an address is picked from a public network and mapped to VM’s private IP address. The floating and private IP addresses are used at the same time on the VM’s network interface. The private IP address is used to communicate with other VMs on the private network. The floating IP address is used to access the VM from public networks. The VM guest operating system is unaware of the assigned floating IP address.

Note the following prerequisites:

1. A VM must have a fixed private IP address.
2. A virtual router must connect the public network from which a floating IP will be picked with VM’s private network.

You can create a floating IP address and assign it to a VM as follows:

1. On the Floating IPs screen, click Add floating IP.

2. In the Add floating IP address, select a public network from which a floating IP will be picked and a VM network interface with a fixed private IP address.

   

3. Click Add.

A floating IP address can be re-assigned to another virtual machine. Do the following:

1. Click the ellipsis icon next to the floating IP address and then click Unassign.
2. Once the VM name disappears in the Assigned to column, click the ellipsis icon again and choose Assign.
3. In the Assign floating IP address window, select a VM network interface with a fixed private IP address.
4. Click Assign.

To remove a floating IP address, unassign it from a VM as described above, then click the ellipsis icon again and choose Delete.