nic.md

subcategory	Compute Engine
page_title	NIC
description	Tools for listing, inspecting, and (opt-in) creating, updating, and deleting network interfaces in IONOS CLOUD.

NICs

The list_* and get_* tools are always available. The write tools — create_nic, update_nic, and delete_nic — register only when IONOS_MCP_TOOL_SCOPE opts in (write enables create/update; destructive also enables delete). create_nic and delete_nic use a two-phase confirmation: call once without confirmation_token to get a preview plus a one-time token, then call again with that token to execute.

list_nics

Lists all network interfaces (NICs) attached to a specific server.

Parameters:

Name	Type	Required	Description
datacenter_id	string	Yes	The ID of the data center
server_id	string	Yes	The ID of the server
depth	integer	No	Nesting depth of returned objects (0–5, default 1).
filters	object	No	Server-side property filters; e.g. {"name":"prod"}. If the result is empty, retry without filters — a filter typo or mismatch silently returns nothing.

Example:

{
  "name": "list_nics",
  "arguments": {
    "datacenter_id": "12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
    "server_id": "87654321-4321-4321-4321-210987654321"
  }
}

API Reference: datacentersServersNicsGet

---

get_nic

Gets detailed information about a specific network interface (NIC).

Parameters:

Name	Type	Required	Description
datacenter_id	string	Yes	The ID of the data center
server_id	string	Yes	The ID of the server
nic_id	string	Yes	The ID of the network interface
depth	integer	No	Nesting depth of returned objects (0–5).

Example:

{
  "name": "get_nic",
  "arguments": {
    "datacenter_id": "12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
    "server_id": "87654321-4321-4321-4321-210987654321",
    "nic_id": "abcdef12-3456-7890-abcd-ef1234567890"
  }
}

API Reference: datacentersServersNicsFindById

---

create_nic

Creates one network interface on a server and connects it to a LAN. Requires IONOS_MCP_TOOL_SCOPE to include write. Two-phase: the first call (no confirmation_token) returns a preview and a one-time token; a second call with that token creates exactly one NIC.

lan is the LAN's small numeric ID from list_lans, not a UUID. If no LAN with that ID exists the API creates one implicitly, so a wrong number silently puts the server on a new isolated LAN instead of the intended one — check list_lans first.

Setting firewall_active to true on a brand-new NIC blocks all incoming traffic until you add rules with create_firewall_rule; the preview warns about this.

Parameters:

Name	Type	Required	Description
datacenter_id	string	Yes	The ID of the data center.
server_id	string	Yes	The ID of the server to attach the NIC to.
lan	integer	Yes	Numeric LAN ID from list_lans. A non-existent ID implicitly creates a new LAN.
name	string	No	The name of the new NIC.
ips	array of string	No	IPv4 addresses to assign. Public IPs must come from a reserved IP block (list_ip_blocks). Omit for automatic assignment.
dhcp	boolean	No	Whether the NIC reserves an IP using DHCP (API default true).
firewall_active	boolean	No	Activate the firewall. With no rules defined this blocks all incoming traffic.
firewall_type	string	No	INGRESS (default), EGRESS or BIDIRECTIONAL.
confirmation_token	string	No	Omit on the first call to receive a preview + token; pass the token (with the same datacenter_id, server_id and lan) on the second call to create. Expires after a few minutes.

Example (step 1 — preview):

{
  "name": "create_nic",
  "arguments": { "datacenter_id": "12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012", "server_id": "87654321-4321-4321-4321-210987654321", "lan": 1, "name": "eth0" }
}

API Reference: datacentersServersNicsPost

---

update_nic

Updates a NIC's name, LAN, IP addresses or firewall settings. Requires IONOS_MCP_TOOL_SCOPE to include write. Applies a partial update (only the fields you provide).

Omit lan to leave the NIC where it is. Pass lan only when you actually want to move the NIC to a different LAN.

Setting ips replaces the whole address list, so include every address the NIC should keep.

Parameters:

Name	Type	Required	Description
datacenter_id	string	Yes	The ID of the data center.
server_id	string	Yes	The ID of the server the NIC belongs to.
nic_id	string	Yes	The ID of the NIC to update.
name	string	No	A new name.
lan	integer	No	Move the NIC to this LAN ID. Omit to keep it on its current LAN.
ips	array of string	No	Replaces the IPv4 address list.
dhcp	boolean	No	Whether the NIC reserves an IP using DHCP.
firewall_active	boolean	No	Activate or deactivate the firewall. Activating with no rules blocks all incoming traffic.
firewall_type	string	No	INGRESS, EGRESS or BIDIRECTIONAL.

Example:

{
  "name": "update_nic",
  "arguments": {
    "datacenter_id": "12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
    "server_id": "87654321-4321-4321-4321-210987654321",
    "nic_id": "11112222-3333-4444-5555-666677778888",
    "name": "eth0-renamed"
  }
}

API Reference: datacentersServersNicsPatch

---

delete_nic

Deletes a NIC along with its firewall rules and flow logs. Irreversible. Requires IONOS_MCP_TOOL_SCOPE to include destructive. Two-phase: the first call (no confirmation_token) returns a blast-radius preview and a one-time token; a second call with that token performs the deletion.

The server loses its connectivity on that LAN, and any public IP the NIC held is released back to its IP block.

Parameters:

Name	Type	Required	Description
datacenter_id	string	Yes	The ID of the data center.
server_id	string	Yes	The ID of the server the NIC belongs to.
nic_id	string	Yes	The ID of the NIC to delete.
confirmation_token	string	No	Omit on the first call to receive a blast-radius preview + token; pass the token on the second call to delete. Bound to this NIC and its parent server; expires after a few minutes.

Example (step 1 — preview):

{
  "name": "delete_nic",
  "arguments": { "datacenter_id": "12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012", "server_id": "87654321-4321-4321-4321-210987654321", "nic_id": "11112222-3333-4444-5555-666677778888" }
}

API Reference: datacentersServersNicsDelete