Most cPanel accounts share the server's main IP, and SSL works on shared IPs thanks to SNI. Sometimes you still need extra IPs: a dedicated IP for a customer, a separate IP for a reseller, or isolating a site with a mail reputation problem. WHM manages these under IP Functions.
MdmHost manages these settings on its hosting plans. This guide is for administrators of their own cPanel VPS or dedicated server with root access.
Before you start
- Extra IPs routed to the server by your provider, with their netmask.
- Root access to WHM.
Add an IP address
- Go to WHM → IP Functions → Add a New IP Address.
- Enter the IP (or a range) and the subnet mask.
- Click Submit. WHM binds the IP to the network interface.
- Check it in WHM → IP Functions → Show or Delete Current IP Addresses.
Note: Some providers require IPs to be added in their own panel first, or as an alias in the network configuration. Follow the provider's instructions if WHM cannot bind the IP.
Give an account a dedicated IP
- Go to WHM → IP Functions → Change a Site's IP Address.
- Select the account and click Change.
- Choose the new IP and confirm.
WHM updates the web server configuration and the account's DNS zone. If the domain uses external DNS, update the A records there (see DNS zone management).
Shared IP per reseller
To give a reseller and their customers their own shared IP:
- Go to WHM → IP Functions → IP Delegation to delegate IPs to the reseller.
- Set it as their shared IP in WHM → Resellers → Reseller Center → Manage Shared IP (named Change Reseller Shared IP on some versions).
- New accounts created by that reseller use this IP.
Reseller creation is covered in creating a reseller as root.
Set the reverse DNS
For IPs that send mail, ask your provider to set PTR records to a hostname that resolves back to the IP (see reverse DNS explained). Check with Email Deliverability in WHM.
Mail from a dedicated IP
By default, Exim sends from the main IP. To send each domain's mail from its own IP, enable Reference /etc/mailips for outgoing SMTP connections in WHM → Service Configuration → Exim Configuration Manager, with matching PTR records.
Warning: A new IP has no mail reputation. Send small volumes first; sudden bulk mail from a fresh IP often lands in spam.
Troubleshooting
Site unreachable after the IP change
DNS still points to the old IP, or caches have not expired. Check with dig +short example.com.
SSL warning after the change
Run AutoSSL for the account (see AutoSSL).
Frequently asked questions
Does a dedicated IP improve SEO?
No measurable effect. Use dedicated IPs for technical reasons such as mail reputation or special firewall rules.
Is IPv6 supported?
Yes. cPanel supports IPv6 ranges, configured in WHM IPv6 functions after your provider routes a range to the server.