VM NICs
6 min
Add a NIC to a VM
- From the Top Menu, click Virtual Machines -> List
- Select the desired VM
- From the left menu, click View
- From the left menu, click NICs
- From the left menu, click New
ℹ️ Enabled is selected by default. If you wish to create the NIC in a disabled/offline state, toggle Enabled.
- Set a Name for the NIC
- Select Interface type
- Virtio (default) - Virtio is typically recommended for best performance. Simulates 10Gbps NIC
- Intel e1000 - Emulates an older, PCI-based gigabit ethernet controller. Simulates 1Gbps NIC.
- Intel e1000e - Emulates a newer, PCI-Express gigabit ethernet controller. Simulates 1Gbps NIC.
- AMD PCnet - interface provided for legacy compatibility.
- Realtek 8139 - interface provided for legacy compatibility.
- Select the desired Network
- All available networks the user has access to will be listed.
- -- None -- can be selected to simulate an unplugged network cable.
- (Optional), Specify a MAC Address
ℹ️ If no MAC address is specified, the system will auto-generate a unique MAC address for the NIC.
- (Optional), Specify a Description for the NIC
- Asset - Is an optional field, where any combination of alpha-numeric characters can be used to define a unique identifier for the NIC to help distinguish it from other NICs within the same VM.
- Click Submit
Remove a NIC from a VM
A NIC must be offline before it can be deleted. NICs can be taken offline by powering off the virtual machine or using hotplug (when enabled).
- From the Top Menu, click Virtual Machines -> VM NICs
- Select the desired NIC
- From the left menu, click Hotplug
- Click Yes to confirm
- Select the desired NIC
- From the left menu, click Delete
- Click Yes to confirm
Disable a NIC
- From the Top Menu, click Virtual Machines -> VM NICs
- Select the desired VM
- From the left menu, click Power Off
- Click Yes to confirm
- Select the desired VM
- From the left menu, click View
- From the left menu, click NICs
- Select the desired NIC
- From the left menu, click Edit
- Deselect the Enabled checkbox
ℹ️ If the VM is running, the NIC will not be disabled until after a reboot.
You can also modify the NICs Network field to -- None -- to essentially "unplug" the NIC from the network while the VM is running. This does not require a reboot.
- Click Submit
Modify a NIC
- From the Top Menu, click Virtual Machines -> VM NICs
- Select the desired VM
- From the left menu, click View
- From the left menu, click NICs
- Select the desired NIC
- From the left menu, click Edit
- Modify fields as desired
- Name - Can be modified as desired; must not be the same name as another NIC attached to the same VM.
- Order ID - This field controls the order in which the guest OS loads multiple NICS at boot time. Changing the order ID after a machine has already been booted with the given NICs may then also require configuration changes within the guest OS. Order ID is only relevant when there is more than one (enabled) NIC attached to the VM.
- Interface - Can be changed. It's important to make sure proper drivers are installed within the guest OS in order for the NIC to function properly.
- Network - Changing the network to which this NIC is attached will most likely result in a new IP assignment. Additionally, if there were any special routes and rules pertaining to this NIC, they may need to be re-created or reconfigured once changed to a new network.
- MAC Address - It's typically recommended to use the system-assigned (unique) MAC address, changing the MAC address after the NIC has already been in use will also likely require configuration changes within the guest OS.
- Description - Can be modified as desired.
- Asset - Is an optional field, where any combination of alpha-numeric characters can be used to define a unique identifier for the NIC to help distinguish it from other NICs within the same VM.
- Click Submit