How to create VMs with multiple network interfaces

Case descriptionCase description

You need to create a VM with multiple network interfaces.

SolutionSolution

To create a VM with multiple network interfaces, use images from the Network infrastructure category in Yandex Cloud Marketplace. Images from this category allow you to create VMs with multiple interfaces used to connect to different cloud networks.

As an option, you can use the NAT instance image based on an LTS release of Ubuntu. You can learn how to set up egress traffic routing on a VM based on this image in this tutorial.

If you are familiar with the Cisco or Mikrotik solutions, you can use them as virtual routers: their images are also available in Yandex Cloud Marketplace, but you need to purchase a license first to use them. You can find more details about these products here:

• Installing the Cisco CSR 1000v virtual router.
• Installing the Mikrotik CHR virtual router.

Maximum number of network interfaces depends on the platform and vCPU on your VM.
Here are the current limits on the number of network interfaces for hardware platforms used in Yandex Cloud:

1. Broadwell (standard-v1):

   • 2 to 16 vCPUs: 8 interfaces
   • 20 to 32 vCPUs: 16 interfaces

2. Cascade Lake (standard-v2):

   • 2 to 16 vCPUs: 8 interfaces
   • 20 to 80 vCPUs: 16 interfaces

3. Ice Lake (standard-v3):

   • 2 to 32 vCPUs: 8 interfaces
   • 36 to 96 vCPUs: 16 interfaces

Note that when a VM is starting, you can connect a maximum of 14 devices, including the boot disk and a NIC, to it. A VM will not start if you connect more than 14 devices. Keep this in mind when creating a VM. You can connect other devices when your VM is already running.

For more information, see this guide.