How do i request a dedicated ip address

How do I request a dedicated IP address

Open a ticket in your Hostworld account and tell us which service needs the address. For a VPS we will add the IP in Virtualizor, then you configure it inside your operating system. For cPanel hosting we will assign the account to a dedicated IP in WHM and your DNS zone will update on our nameservers.

If you are unsure whether you need a dedicated IP, read the notes below before requesting one.

Before you start

• On cPanel shared or reseller hosting, a dedicated IP is not required for HTTPS. Modern browsers support SNI, so each site can have its own certificate without a unique IP. If your goal is SSL, you probably do not need a dedicated IP.
• Decide what you need: IPv4, IPv6 or both, how many addresses, and which Hostworld service they belong to. Have a PTR (reverse DNS) hostname in mind if the address will send email. Gmail and others expect valid forward and reverse DNS, and a missing or mismatched PTR can cause rejections.
• For VPS customers: you cannot create public IPs yourself in Virtualizor. We must allocate them on our side, then you add them to your OS configuration.
• Network changes can lock you out. On Ubuntu 24.04 use netplan try so changes auto‑revert if you do not confirm within the timeout. On AlmaLinux 9 use NetworkManager and append addresses with the +ipv4.addresses syntax, so you do not remove the existing IP.
• If you use Hostworld nameservers on cPanel hosting, DNS will update when we move your account to a new IP. Our nameservers are ns1.serverworld.uk, ns2.serverworld.uk, ns3.serverworld.uk and ns4.serverworld.uk. If you use external DNS at your registrar or a third party, you will need to update A and AAAA records yourself after the IP change.
• If your VPS runs cPanel and its primary public IP changes, cPanel licensing is IP‑based. You will need to update the licence on that server after the change.
• Virtualizor includes a browser VNC console. If SSH drops while you are changing networking, use the VNC console in Virtualizor to get back in and repair the configuration.

Step 1: Decide if you really need a dedicated IP

Be clear on the reason. SSL does not require it on cPanel because SNI is supported. If you are separating email reputation, plan for correct PTR. If an application needs allow‑listing by IP, confirm if one address is enough or if you need more than one.

Step 2: Open a ticket in your Hostworld account

All requests are handled in WHMCS at portal.hostworld.uk. You will create a support ticket so we can allocate the IPs to the right service.

1. Go to open a support ticket and sign in.
2. Choose the department that best matches technical or network requests. The list of departments is defined in WHMCS and may differ by account.
3. Fill in the subject and message. Include:
   • The affected service: your VPS name or ID, or the cPanel account or domain.
   • How many IPs you are requesting, and whether you need IPv4, IPv6 or both.
   • The PTR (reverse DNS) value you want for email use, if applicable.
   • Any timing constraints for the change.
4. Select the related service in the ticket form if the option is available. WHMCS can also suggest Knowledgebase articles while you type, which may answer common questions.
5. Submit the ticket. You will receive an email confirmation. We will reply in the ticket thread.

Step 3: Know where your new IP will appear

For Hostworld VPS

We will assign the new address to your VPS in Virtualizor. When it is ready you will see it on your VPS page in the Virtualizor panel. Use the IPs icon to view addresses. End users cannot create new public IPs, so do not look for an add button. You can change which address is marked primary using that IPs view, but do not switch the primary during configuration unless we have advised it and you have console access available.

For Hostworld cPanel hosting

We will assign the cPanel account to a dedicated IP in WHM. If your domain uses Hostworld nameservers (ns1.serverworld.uk, ns2.serverworld.uk, ns3.serverworld.uk, ns4.serverworld.uk), the DNS zone on our side will update automatically. There can be propagation delay. If you use external DNS, you must update your A and AAAA records to the new address at your DNS provider after we confirm the change.

Step 4: Configure the additional IP on Ubuntu 24.04 (Netplan)

On Ubuntu 24.04, Netplan controls networking. Multiple addresses live under the addresses: list for your interface.

1. Identify your Netplan file and interface name.

   This lists the Netplan files so you know what to edit.

   ls /etc/netplan

   Open the YAML file you already have under /etc/netplan/ and find the interface under ethernets:. Make a backup before editing.

   This makes a backup copy of your current Netplan file so you can roll back if needed. Replace the filename to match your system.

   sudo cp /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml.bak

2. Add the new address to the addresses: list.

   Edit the file and append your new address in CIDR format to the list for the correct interface. Example only, replace ens3, the address and prefix with the details we provide. Do not change your gateway for an extra address on the same subnet.

   network:
     version: 2
     ethernets:
       ens3:
         dhcp4: false
         addresses:
           - 198.51.100.10/24    # existing address
           - 198.51.100.23/24    # new additional address
         routes:
           - to: default
             via: 198.51.100.1

   Your current file may already be using DHCP or have different keys. The key point is that the new address is added as another line under addresses: for the same interface.

3. Test the change with a timed safety net.

   This tests your Netplan configuration and will auto‑revert after a timeout if you do not confirm, which protects you from lockouts.

   sudo netplan try

   Confirm the change on screen. If you lose access and do not confirm, the system will revert after the timeout.

4. Apply the change permanently.

   This applies your confirmed Netplan configuration.

   sudo netplan apply

If you make a mistake and SSH becomes unresponsive, use the VNC console in Virtualizor to log in and restore the backup file under /etc/netplan/, then run sudo netplan apply again.

Step 5: Configure the additional IP on AlmaLinux 9 (NetworkManager)

AlmaLinux 9 uses NetworkManager. Add extra addresses to the profile for your network interface. Do not edit legacy ifcfg files or use aliases like eth0:1. NetworkManager stores connection profiles under /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ and manages them via nmcli.

1. Find the active connection name.

   This lists all NetworkManager connection profiles so you can identify the one in use.

   nmcli connection show

2. Append the new IPv4 address to the connection.

   This appends the additional address to the connection without removing the existing one. Replace MyConn and the address and prefix with the details we provide.

   sudo nmcli connection modify "MyConn" +ipv4.addresses 198.51.100.23/24

   Using +ipv4.addresses is important. It appends to the list. Using ipv4.addresses without the plus would replace the current addresses and can drop connectivity.

3. Bring the connection up to apply changes.

   This reloads the connection with the new configuration.

   sudo nmcli connection up "MyConn"

4. Confirm the address is present.

   This shows the IPv4 addresses now associated with the connection.

   nmcli -f IP4.ADDRESS connection show "MyConn"

If the connection drops and you cannot SSH back in, use the Virtualizor VNC console to revert the change or correct the profile, then bring the connection up again with nmcli.

Step 6: Set or request reverse DNS (PTR)

For email, plan your PTR record. Gmail’s sender guidelines require valid forward and reverse DNS. If the PTR is missing or does not match, mail can be rejected. In your ticket, include the hostname you want as the PTR for the new IP. If reverse DNS management is exposed to you in Virtualizor you may see an option to set a PTR yourself. If you do not see it, we will add the PTR for you after confirming the value.

Step 7: If your service is cPanel hosting, update DNS where needed

• If your domain uses Hostworld nameservers (ns1.serverworld.uk, ns2.serverworld.uk, ns3.serverworld.uk, ns4.serverworld.uk), we will update the zone when we move the account to a dedicated IP. Expect normal propagation delay.
• If you use external DNS rather than our nameservers, update the A and AAAA records for your domain and any subdomains at that external DNS provider after we confirm the new IP. External DNS will not auto‑update.

Step 8: Special case for VPSs that run cPanel

If your VPS itself runs cPanel and you change the server’s primary public IP, the licence is IP‑based. After the change you must update the licence according to the vendor’s guidance. Services that reference the old main IP also need to be refreshed. If you are planning this, mention it in your ticket so we can coordinate the timing.

What next

If you are choosing a VPS and weighing up your options, see Linux VPS. For more practical walk‑throughs after your VPS is online, read our VPS guides.

If you need help at any stage, or your PTR needs changing, open a support ticket. Tickets go straight to your Hostworld account and keep the history in one place.