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Configuring a Private Network (VLAN) between servers

If you have multiple servers at Tilaa, you can interconnect them using a Private Virtual Network (VLAN). Traffic on this interface is isolated, secure, and does not count towards your public data traffic limits.

Step 1: Create the Network in the Dashboard

  1. Log in to the MyTilaa Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Virtual Networks and click Add.
  3. Give the network a name (e.g., "Database-Link").
  4. Go to your VPS Details page -> Network Interfaces.
  5. Click Add interface and select the network you just created.
Reboot Required:
Adding a network interface is a hardware change. You must reboot the VPS via the Tilaa Dashboard (not just inside the OS) for the new network card to be detected.

Step 2: Configure the IP Address (Linux)

Unlike the public interface, private networks do not have DHCP. You must manually configure a static IP from a private range (e.g., 10.0.0.x or 192.168.0.x).

First, identify the new interface name:

ip link show

Look for the interface that is currently "DOWN" or unconfigured (often eth1, ens4, or similar).

Option A: Ubuntu 18.04+ / Debian 11+ (Netplan)

Modern Ubuntu uses Netplan YAML configuration.

  1. Edit the config file in /etc/netplan/ (e.g., 50-cloud-init.yaml).
  2. Add the second interface configuration:
network:
    version: 2
    ethernets:
        eth0:
            dhcp4: true
        eth1:              # Verify your interface name!
            dhcp4: no
            addresses:
                - 10.0.0.1/24

Note: Use spaces for indentation, not tabs!

3. Apply changes: sudo netplan apply

Option B: CentOS / AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux

  1. Create a new file: /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth1 (replace eth1 with your interface name).
  2. Add the following content:
DEVICE=eth1
BOOTPROTO=none
ONBOOT=yes
IPADDR=10.0.0.1
NETMASK=255.255.255.0

3. Restart network: systemctl restart network (or nmcli networking off && nmcli networking on).

Step 3: Configure the IP Address (Windows)

1. Press Win+R and type ncpa.cpl to open Network Connections.

2. You will see a new "Ethernet" adapter. Right-click it and select Properties.

3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

4. Fill in the IP details:

  • IP address: 10.0.0.1 (Use unique IPs for each server!)
  • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
CRITICAL WARNING:
Leave the Default Gateway field EMPTY.
If you enter a gateway on the private interface, Windows will get confused about how to reach the internet, and you will lose connection to your server.

Step 4: Testing

Once configured on both servers (e.g., Server A = 10.0.0.1, Server B = 10.0.0.2), try to ping each other:

ping 10.0.0.2

If ping fails, check your internal Firewall (UFW/Windows Firewall) to ensure it allows traffic from the private subnet.