Managing floating IP addresses using the DreamCompute dashboard

When an instance is attached to a private network, it has a private, fixed IP address and can also have a public, or floating IP address. Private IP addresses are used for communication between instances, and public addresses are used for communication with networks outside the cloud, including the Internet.

When you launch an instance on a private network, it is automatically assigned a private IP address that stays the same until you explicitly delete the instance. Rebooting an instance has no effect on the private IP address.

A pool of floating IP addresses is available in DreamCompute. Your project's quota defines the maximum number of floating IP addresses that you can allocate to your project. After you allocate a floating IP address to your project, you can:

• Associate the floating IP address with one of your instances (note: only one floating IP address can be allocated to an instance at any given time).
• Disassociate a floating IP address from one of your instances.
• Release a floating IP address from your project (this automatically deletes any associations that address has).

To see all the floating IP addresses that are allocated to your project:

1. Log in to the DreamCompute Dashboard.
2. In the left pane, select Network > Floating IPs.

Here you can see the following:

• The floating IP addresses that are allocated to your project
• The fixed (or private) IP address of the instance the floating IP address is attached to (if it is attached)
• The pool that the floating IP address came from
• The current status of the floating IP address, and actions you can perform on the floating IP address.
• Actions you can perform on the floating IP address

You can assign a floating IP address to a project and to an instance.

1. Log into your DreamCompute dashboard and navigate to the Floating IPs tab.
2. To allocate a floating IP address to your project, start by clicking the Allocate IP To Project button on the Floating IPs tab.

   If you have exceeded the quota of floating IP addresses for your account, you will need to contact support and ask them to increase your account's quota.

3. Click the Allocate IP button.

   The new IP address is now visible on the Floating IPs page.

1. Log into your DreamCompute dashboard and navigate to the 'Floating IPs' page.
2. To associate an IP address with an instance in the project, start by clicking the Associate button next to the IP address you want to use.
3. In the Port to be associated dropdown box, select the instance and fixed IP address that you want the floating IP address to be associated with.
   

   While all instances will be visible, you will only be truly successful if you associate the floating IP address with an instance on a private network. If you choose an instance on the public network, the request will fail with an error message.

4. Once you have selected an instance, click the Associate button.

   The floating IP address will now have the fixed IP address listed next to it and report a status of Active on the Floating IPs page.

1. Log into your DreamCompute dashboard and navigate to the 'Floating IPs' page.
2. To disassociate a floating IP address from an instance, click the Disassociate button in the Actions column.
3. Click the Disassociate button.

   The IP address is now available for association or releasing.

1. Log into your DreamCompute dashboard and navigate to the 'Floating IPs' page.
2. To release a floating IP address from your project, select 'Release Floating IP' from the Actions dropdown box.
3. Click 'Release Floating IP'.

The IP address is returned to the pool of IP addresses that is available for all projects. If the IP address is still associated with a running instance, it is automatically disassociated from that instance.