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Networking explained

Last updated on Jul 14, 2026

Everything your servers do on the network is set up under Networking in the console. It looks like a lot of separate pages, but they fit together simply.

  • Private Networks are the internal networks your servers talk on. Every project gets one by default.
  • Cloud Routers connect a private network to the internet and to other networks.
  • Public IPs (Floating IPs) are the public addresses you attach to a server so the outside world can reach it.
  • Security Rules are the per-server firewall that decides which ports are open.
  • Firewall Rules are an optional network-wide firewall on top of that.
  • Load Balancers spread traffic across several servers.
  • VPN as a Service links your own office or another network privately to your cloud.
  • Network QoS limits bandwidth where you need to.
  • Network Map draws the whole thing so you can see how it connects.

A typical setup is: servers on the default private network, a router giving them internet access, a public IP on the servers that need to be reachable, and security rules opening just the ports you use. Start with Private networks and subnets and Public IPs.