> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xloud.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage IP Addresses

> Associate and disassociate floating IPs to provide external access to Xloud Compute instances using the Dashboard or CLI.

## Overview

Instances receive fixed IP addresses from their attached networks automatically. To make
an instance reachable from external networks, associate a floating IP address from a
public IP pool. Floating IPs can be moved between instances as needed.

<Note>
  **Prerequisites**

  * An instance with at least one fixed IP address
  * A floating IP pool configured by your administrator
  * An external network with available floating IPs
</Note>

***

## Associate a Floating IP

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dashboard" icon="gauge">
    <Steps titleSize="h3">
      <Step title="Open the Associate Floating IP dialog">
        Navigate to **Compute > Instances**. Click the **More** dropdown on the
        instance row, then select **Associate Floating IP** under the
        **Related Resources** group.

        <Note>
          This action is available when the instance has at least one fixed IP
          that is not already associated with a floating IP. It is not available
          on the admin page or when the instance is in `Error` status.
        </Note>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select the fixed IP">
        The dialog shows:

        | Field        | Description                                                          |
        | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
        | **Instance** | Current instance name (read-only)                                    |
        | **Fixed IP** | Select the instance port/interface to associate the floating IP with |

        The fixed IP table shows available ports with their network, subnet, and
        current IP information. Ports that already have a floating IP or are on
        unreachable subnets are indicated with reason labels.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select a floating IP">
        Choose an available floating IP from the pool, or allocate a new one.

        Click **Confirm** to associate the floating IP.

        <Check>The floating IP appears in the instance's IP addresses list.</Check>
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="CLI" icon="terminal">
    ```bash title="Source credentials" theme={null}
    source openrc.sh
    ```

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash title="List available floating IPs" theme={null}
      openstack floating ip list --status DOWN
      ```

      ```bash title="Create a new floating IP (if none available)" theme={null}
      openstack floating ip create <EXTERNAL_NETWORK>
      ```

      ```bash title="Associate floating IP to instance" theme={null}
      openstack server add floating ip <INSTANCE_ID> <FLOATING_IP>
      ```

      ```bash title="Associate to a specific fixed IP" theme={null}
      openstack server add floating ip \
        --fixed-ip-address <FIXED_IP> \
        <INSTANCE_ID> <FLOATING_IP>
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Disassociate a Floating IP

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dashboard" icon="gauge">
    <Steps titleSize="h3">
      <Step title="Open the Disassociate dialog">
        Navigate to **Compute > Instances**. Click the **More** dropdown on the
        instance row, then select **Disassociate Floating Ip** under the
        **Related Resources** group.

        <Note>
          This action is only available when the instance has at least one
          associated floating IP.
        </Note>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select the floating IP to remove">
        | Field        | Description                                              |
        | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
        | **Instance** | Current instance name (read-only)                        |
        | **Address**  | Select the floating IP to disassociate from the dropdown |

        Click **Confirm**. The floating IP is released from the instance but
        remains allocated to your project for future use.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="CLI" icon="terminal">
    ```bash title="Remove floating IP from instance" theme={null}
    openstack server remove floating ip <INSTANCE_ID> <FLOATING_IP>
    ```

    ```bash title="Release floating IP back to pool (optional)" theme={null}
    openstack floating ip delete <FLOATING_IP_ID>
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Security Groups" href="/services/compute/security-groups" color="#197560">
    Configure firewall rules to allow traffic on the floating IP
  </Card>

  <Card title="Floating IPs" href="/services/networking/floating-ips" color="#197560">
    Manage floating IP pools and allocations at the network level
  </Card>

  <Card title="Launch an Instance" href="/services/compute/launch-instance" color="#197560">
    Create a new instance with network configuration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" href="/services/compute/troubleshooting" color="#197560">
    Resolve floating IP association failures
  </Card>
</CardGroup>