# IP address management for Nutanix

> A Nutanix server gets its IP address either from Nutanix on a managed network, or from Cloud Management Platform (CMP) on an unmanaged one

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Site [llms.txt](/llms.txt)

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## Imported networks and their addressing schema

When you import a network on the Nutanix handler's **Networks** tab, CMP sets its **Addressing Schema** from Nutanix: **DHCP only** if Nutanix runs DHCP on the network; otherwise, **Static only**. You can change it on the network, where the third option, **User defined**, is also available. See [Networks](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/).

The import fills in the network's gateway but not its netmask. For a network where CMP assigns addresses, enter the **Netmask** and DNS settings on the network before provisioning.

## Managed networks

On a managed network, Nutanix assigns each VM an address from the network's DHCP pool.

1. Create a managed network in Nutanix.
1. In CMP, import the network on the handler's **Networks** tab. Its **Addressing Schema** is set to **DHCP only**.

The image must be configured to get its address by DHCP.

## Unmanaged networks

On an unmanaged network, CMP assigns the address from an [IP pool](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/ip-ranges/) or an [IP address management (IPAM)](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/) integration.

1. Create an unmanaged network in Nutanix.
1. In CMP, import the network on the handler's **Networks** tab. Its **Addressing Schema** is set to **Static only**.
1. Open the network and enter its **Netmask** and DNS settings.
1. Attach an IP pool or an IPAM network to it.

How the address reaches the VM depends on the handler's API version:

- **v2 and v3**: CMP passes the address to Nutanix when it creates the VM.
- **v4**: CMP does not pass the address to Nutanix. Apply it inside the guest, for example with a cloud-init script in the **Acropolis User Data** parameter.

With v2 or v3, add the **Skip Network Configuration** parameter to stop CMP from passing the address to Nutanix, so that it is applied only by your guest customization. With v4 the parameter has no effect.

## Related

- [Nutanix](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/resource-handlers/nutanix/): add the handler, import networks, and the features supported by each API version.
- [Networks](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/): network settings, and the order in which IPAM, IP pools, and the addressing schema are applied.
- [IP pools](/docs/cmp/configure/infrastructure/networks/ipam/ip-ranges/): define the ranges CMP assigns addresses from.