IP’s for Virtual Machines

Virtual Machines are growing in popularity every day. This section will provide you with the information on what type of IP blocks are required to be used in a VM. The information provided is based on Microsoft Hyper-V which is supported by SoftLayer.

Every Virtual Machine that will be connected to the SoftLayer network in a virtual environment requires a primary IP address from a portable block of IP’s. The reason for this, is that Hyper-V requires each Virtual Machine to provide a Network, Gateway and Broadcast address on the same subnet as the primary IP assigned to the Virtual Machine. One advantage to our network configuration is that a single Secondary on VLAN block can be used for multiple Virtual Machines. Below is an example of a Secondary on VLAN block 192.168.0.4/29 being used for multiple Virtual Machines

·192.168.0.0 – Network Address

·192.168.0.1 – Gateway Address

·192.168.0.2 – VPS1

·192.168.0.3 – VPS1

·192.168.0.4 – VPS1

·192.168.0.5 – VPS2

·192.168.0.6 – VPS3

·192.168.0.7 – Broadcast Address

As the example shows, this Secondary on VLAN block provides 5 usable IP address out of the 8 IP addresses in the block bound across 3 different Virtual Machines. This brings up the question “how do I add more IP’s to a Virtual Machine if all the IP’s on the Portable block are used?”. This problem can be resolved through the use of a Static block, or a Routed to VLAN Portable block.

To use a Static Block within a Virtual Machine, first order a new Static IP block from the portal. When you order this block you will be able to select the IP address you wish to have this block routed to. By selecting the IP address that is assigned to the Virtual Machine. The new block will be routed specifically to that Virtual Machine. You will then be able to bind the new block of IP’s directly to that Virtual Machine and begin using them immediately.