.. _fip_associate_card:

Floating IP: allocate and associate
=======================================

Allocate a floating IP
----------------------

The allocation will reserve and return a floating IP from the available pool for the project.  

To allocate a floating IP to a project, in the :ref:`cloud/os_overview/management_tools/dashboard:horizon dashboard` 

- click on *"Network → Floating IPs"* 
- then click on the button *"Allocate IP to Project"* on the right side of the dashboard page. 
- Once allocated, a floating IP can be associated with running instances.

.. image:: /cloud/_img/op_fip_allocation_img1.png

.. image:: /cloud/_img/op_fip_allocation_img2.png  


At any moment, floating IPs can be de-allocated from a project using the available action for the floating IP.

.. important:: 

    It should be noted that if you de-allocate a floating IP from a project and then allocate one again, 
    the floating IP will not be same as before, as the floating IP is automatically select by the system from the available pool. 


Associate a floating IP to an instance
--------------------------------------

With the association of the floating IP to an instance, the instance becomes reachable from the external network.

- Click on *"Associate"* action on the right of the page *"Network → Floating IPs"*. 
- In the popup, select your virtual machine by the menu in *"Port to be associated"*.

.. image:: /cloud/_img/op_fip_assocation_img1.png

.. image:: /cloud/_img/op_fip_assocation_img2.png    


The inverse action, *“Dissociate Floating IP”*, is available from the *"Compute → Instances"* page.

At any moment, floating IPs can be de-associated from an instance using the available action for the floating IP.