Floating ip-addresses are a useful building block when running multiple workspaces that share information or when exposing a service to the internet. You can create and attach a floating ip the same way you would create a storage volume.
The floating ip feature provides you with a public, static network address. You assign the floating ip to a new workspace. Subsequently this workspace will be accessible through this address.
Predictable
This address being static means that it will not be changed or withdrawn - unless you choose to release it by deleting it in the dashboard. This is particularly useful when you want to expose a web server or build a network of workspaces. Other instances can rely on this address being present.
Public
A floating ip that you create is accessible from anywhere on the internet.
However, by default Research Cloud applications only open the ports that are required for SSH and RDP access to the workspaces. Also port 80 and 443 for a http and https, respectively, are opened.
In order to open other ports, please contact us through https://servicedesk.surfsara.nl .
Creation
To create a new floating ip, go to the "IP" tab on the Research Cloud portal's dashboard.
Click on the green "+" on the top right of the (potentially empty) ip list.
The portal will guide you through the steps to create a new floating ip:
Choose "Floating IP" (and click continue).
Choose the CO you want to create the floating ip for.
Edit the expiration date of the floating ip, choose the wallet that will fund the floating ip, choose the cloud and the flavour. The cloud should be the cloud where the workspace is hosted that you want to use the floating ip with.
In this last step give a unique name for the new floating IP and a description.
Click on "SUBMIT" to have your new floating ip created.
Ownership
The user who creates the floating ip remains its owner.
Only the owner can attach it to workspaces and delete it.
Usage
Once the floating ip's state changes from "creating" to "available", you can attach the floating ip to a workspace you are creating. The status of the floating ip will change to "in use", then.
When creating the workspace, use the corresponding creation step to attach the floating ip.
The floating ip will become available again after the workspace it has been attached to is deleted.