--- title: How to manage networks description: Canonical makes open source secure, reliable and easy to use, providing support for Ubuntu and a portfolio of enterprise-grade technologies. Founded in 2004, Canonical operates globally with team members in over 80 countries. url: https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md --- *Submit* # How to manage networks MAAS provides pre-configured [networks](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-maas-networking) for convenience. You can reconfigure these networks to match your environment. This page shows you how to: * Manage subnets (the foundation of IP allocation). * Create and use VLANs. * Allocate and reserve IP addresses. * Configure and maintain interfaces (NICs, bonds, bridges). * Use network discovery to detect devices. * Apply advanced patterns such as dual NICs and loopbacks. ## [Cheat sheet: common networking commands](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-cheat-sheet-common-networking-commands) Here are the most common MAAS networking commands at a glance. Use this cheat sheet if you just need the basics. The sections below provide full detail and context. ``` # Subnets maas $PROFILE subnets read maas $PROFILE subnet update $SUBNET_CIDR managed=true # VLANs maas $PROFILE vlans create $FABRIC_ID name=$VLAN_NAME vid=$VLAN_ID maas $PROFILE interfaces create-vlan $SYSTEM_ID vlan=$VLAN_ID parent=$INTERFACE_ID # IP addresses maas $PROFILE ipaddresses reserve ip=$IP_ADDRESS maas $PROFILE ipranges create type=dynamic subnet=$SUBNET start_ip=$LOW end_ip=$HIGH # Interfaces maas $PROFILE interfaces read $SYSTEM_ID maas $PROFILE interface update $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID key=value... # Routes maas $PROFILE interface link-subnet $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID subnet=$SUBNET_ID mode=STATIC ip_address=10.0.0.101 # Discovery maas $PROFILE maas set-config name=network_discovery value=enabled ``` ## [Manage subnets](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-manage-subnets) Subnets are the building blocks for all networking in MAAS. You’ll use them to assign addresses, set gateways, and control routing. ### [View and edit subnets](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-view-and-edit-subnets) UI *Networking > Subnets > (Select subnet)* CLI ``` maas $PROFILE subnets read maas $PROFILE subnet read $SUBNET_ID ``` ### [Enable or disable subnet management](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-enable-or-disable-subnet-management) ``` maas $PROFILE subnet update $SUBNET_CIDR managed=true # enable maas $PROFILE subnet update $SUBNET_CIDR managed=false # disable ``` ### [Configure DNS servers](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-configure-dns-servers) ``` maas $PROFILE subnet update $SUBNET_CIDR dns_servers=$DNS_SERVER_IPS ``` ### [Add static routes](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-add-static-routes) ``` maas $PROFILE static-routes create source=$SOURCE_SUBNET destination=$DEST_SUBNET gateway_ip=$GATEWAY_IP ``` ## [Manage VLANs](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-manage-vlans) VLANs let you segment networks for isolation, PXE booting, or multi-tenancy. ### [Create a VLAN](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-create-a-vlan) ``` maas $PROFILE vlans create $FABRIC_ID name=$VLAN_NAME vid=$VLAN_ID ``` ### [Assign a VLAN to an interface](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-assign-a-vlan-to-an-interface) ``` maas $PROFILE interfaces create-vlan $SYSTEM_ID vlan=$VLAN_ID parent=$INTERFACE_ID ``` ### [Delete a VLAN](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-delete-a-vlan) ``` maas $PROFILE vlan delete $FABRIC_ID $VLAN_ID ``` ## [Manage IP addresses](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-manage-ip-addresses) You can reserve addresses for static or dynamic use. ### [Reserve a single IP](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-reserve-a-single-ip) ``` maas $PROFILE ipaddresses reserve ip=$IP_ADDRESS_STATIC_SINGLE ``` ### [Reserve a dynamic range](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-reserve-a-dynamic-range) ``` maas $PROFILE ipranges create type=dynamic subnet=$SUBNET_ADDRESS start_ip=$IP_DYNAMIC_RANGE_LOW end_ip=$IP_DYNAMIC_RANGE_HIGH ``` ### [Reserve a static range](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-reserve-a-static-range) ``` maas $PROFILE ipranges create type=reserved subnet=$SUBNET_ADDRESS start_ip=$IP_STATIC_RANGE_LOW end_ip=$IP_STATIC_RANGE_HIGH ``` ### [Configure static IP via netplan (post-deploy)](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-configure-static-ip-via-netplan-post-deploy) Edit `/etc/netplan/50-cloud-init.yaml`: ``` network: ethernets: ens160: addresses: - 192.168.0.100/24 gateway4: 192.168.0.1 nameservers: addresses: [8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4] ``` Apply with: ``` sudo netplan apply ``` ## [Manage interfaces](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-manage-interfaces) Interfaces control how machines connect to subnets. MAAS supports physical NICs, VLANs, bonds, and bridges. Most changes require the machine to be in `Ready` or `Broken` state. ### [View and maintain interfaces](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-view-and-maintain-interfaces) * List interfaces: ``` maas $PROFILE interfaces read $SYSTEM_ID ``` * View one interface: ``` maas $PROFILE interface read $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID ``` * Update interface: ``` maas $PROFILE interface update $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID key=value... ``` * Delete interface: ``` maas $PROFILE interface delete $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID ``` ### [Common interface types](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-common-interface-types) * Physical (detected during commissioning) * VLAN (virtual interface tied to a parent NIC and VLAN ID) * Bond (group NICs for redundancy or throughput) * Bridge (share NICs with VMs/containers or route traffic) Each has UI and CLI creation commands. See [interface reference](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/interface) for details. ## [Manage routes and links](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-manage-routes-and-links) * Disconnect interface: ``` maas $PROFILE interface disconnect $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID ``` * Link interface to subnet: ``` maas $PROFILE interface link-subnet $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID mode=STATIC subnet=$SUBNET_ID ip_address=10.0.0.101 ``` * Unlink interface: ``` maas $PROFILE interface unlink-subnet $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID ``` * Set default gateway: ``` maas $PROFILE subnet update $SUBNET_CIDR gateway_ip=$MY_GATEWAY ``` ## [Tag interfaces](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-tag-interfaces) Tags help classify interfaces for automation (e.g., `"uplink"`, `"pxe"`). * Add tag: ``` maas $PROFILE interface add-tag $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID tag=my-tag ``` * Remove tag: ``` maas $PROFILE interface remove-tag $SYSTEM_ID $INTERFACE_ID tag=my-tag ``` ## [Manage network discovery](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-manage-network-discovery) Use discovery to detect devices on connected subnets. * Enable: ``` maas $PROFILE maas set-config name=network_discovery value=enabled ``` * Disable: ``` maas $PROFILE maas set-config name=network_discovery value=disabled ``` * Clear all discoveries: ``` maas $PROFILE discoveries clear all=true ``` You can fine-tune discovery (force re-scan, use ping, slow scan, limit threads) and filter results by unknown IP or MAC. See CLI reference for full commands. ## [Advanced: dual NICs and loopbacks](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-advanced-dual-nics-and-loopbacks) * Dual NICs: Assign private and public roles to different NICs (e.g., internal DHCP + external static IP). Configure in MAAS or via netplan. * Loopbacks: Add a loopback interface with a dummy MAC (`00:00:00:00:00:00`). Useful for routing or HA testing. ## [Verify your changes](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-verify-your-changes) * Check the UI: Machines > Network tab should reflect changes. * Confirm CLI reads show the expected subnets, bonds, or bridges. * Use `ping` or `ip addr` on deployed machines to confirm connectivity. ## [Next steps](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-networks?format=md#p-9070-next-steps) * Explore [about MAAS networking](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/about-maas-networking) for deeper context. * Investigate [how to tune MAAS network services](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/how-to-manage-network-services) to improve performance or create special configurations. * If you need redundancy, learn [how to manage high availability](https://canonical.com/maas/docs/how-to-manage-high-availability). --- [Previous Back up MAAS](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-back-up-maas) [Next Manage network services](https://canonical-com-2950.demos.haus/maas/docs/how-to-manage-network-services) Last updated 1 year, 1 day ago. [Help improve this document in the forum](https://discourse.maas.io/t/how-to-manage-networks/5164).