---
name: power-iaas-removing-network-interface
title: Adding or removing a network interface from an AIX virtual machine (VM)
description: Starting from IBM PowerVC Version 1.2.2, IBM PowerVC can dynamically add a network interface controller (NIC) to a VM or remove a NIC from a VM. IBM PowerVC does not set the IP address for new network interfaces that are created after the machine deployment. Any removal of a NIC results in freeing the IP address that was set on it. You must remove and add again the AIX VM network interface if you choose to disconnect the Power Virtual Server AIX VM from a public network.
last-updated: 2026-07-08
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/power-iaas?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Adding or removing a network interface from an AIX virtual machine (VM)
{: #managing-network-interface}

---



IBM Power Virtual Server in [IBM data center]{: tag-blue}


IBM Power Virtual Server Private Cloud in [Client location]{: tag-red}


---

Starting from IBM PowerVC Version 1.2.2, IBM PowerVC can dynamically add a network interface controller (NIC) to a VM or remove a NIC from a VM. IBM PowerVC does not set the IP address for new network interfaces that are created after the machine deployment. Any removal of a NIC results in freeing the IP address that was set on it.  You must remove and add again the AIX VM network interface if you choose to disconnect the Power Virtual Server AIX VM from a public network.
{: shortdesc}

When you toggle a public network off and then on, the Power Virtual Server user interface regenerates new internal and external IP addresses. You need to check the Power Virtual Server user interface for the new internal IP address to complete this procedure.
{: note}

## Removing a network interface from an AIX VM
{: #remove-nic-aix}
{: help}
{: support}

1. Use the `ifconfig` command to remove the network interface from the AIX VM. In the following example, *en0* is the public interface.

    ```text
    ifconfig en0 down detach
    ```
    {: codeblock}

2. Next, run the `rmdev` command to remove the device from the AIX system.

    ```text
    rmdev -dl en0
    ```
    {: codeblock}

3. Use the `cfgmgr` command to reconfigure the device.

## Adding a network interface to an AIX VM
{: #add-nic}

When you toggle a public network off and then on, a new Virtual Ethernet Adapter (VEA) is created on your VM. You must identify the network interface that the new VLAN is associated with before reconfiguring the IP address.

Every time you toggle a public network off and then on, the system creates multiple network interfaces. As a result, the `ifconfig -a` command will show several unused network interfaces after toggling the public network. To remove these stale network interfaces, use `ifconfig` and `rmdev` as described in the previous section.
{: note}

1. After you toggle a public network off and then on, look up the list of networks and write down the public network VLAN ID. To find the public network VLAN ID, see [Get a network's current state or information](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/apis/power-cloud#get-a-network-s-current-state-or-information){: external}.

2. Use the `lsdev -Cc adapter` command to generate the list of adapters.

3. Use either the `ifconfig -a` or `netstat -in` command to see all of the network interfaces.

4. To find the network interface that has the public network VLAN ID, enter `entstat -d ent X | grep VLAN` (where *X* is the adapter number).

To add a network interface (for example, *en0*) and point it to the new internal IP address (as shown in the Power Virtual Server user interface), you can use `smitty mktcpip`. You can also use the AIX command line to perform the same task by using the [mktcpip command](https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_aix_72/m_commands/mktcpip.html){: external} (replacing the values with your own):

```text
/usr/sbin/mktcpip -h power-systems-virtual-instance -a 192.168.103.12 -m 255.255.255.240 -i en0 -t N/A -g 192.168.103.1 -D 0.0.0.0
```
{: codeblock}

To manipulate domain name server (DNS) entries for local resolver routines in the system configuration database, see the [namerslv command](https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_aix_72/n_commands/namerslv.html){: external}.