Project configuration - Incus documentation
Description: Projects can be configured through a set of key/value configuration options. See Configure a project for instructions on how to set these options. The key/value configuration is namespaced. The fol...

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# Project configuration

Projects can be configured through a set of key/value configuration options. See Configure a project for instructions on how to set these options.

The key/value configuration is namespaced. The following options are available:

- Project features

- Project limits

- Project restrictions

- Project-specific configuration

## Project features

The project features define which entities are isolated in the project and which are inherited from the `default` project.

If a `feature.*` option is set to `true`, the corresponding entity is isolated in the project.

Note

When you create a project without explicitly configuring a specific option, this option is set to the initial value given in the following table.

However, if you unset one of the `feature.*` options, it does not go back to the initial value, but to the default value. The default value for all `feature.*` options is `false`.

`features.images`

Whether to use a separate set of images for the project

Key: | `features.images`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`
Initial value: | `true`

This setting applies to both images and image aliases.

`features.networks`

Whether to use a separate set of networks for the project

Key: | `features.networks`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`
Initial value: | `false`

`features.networks.zones`

Whether to use a separate set of network zones for the project

Key: | `features.networks.zones`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`
Initial value: | `false`

`features.profiles`

Whether to use a separate set of profiles for the project

Key: | `features.profiles`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`
Initial value: | `true`

`features.storage.buckets`

Whether to use a separate set of storage buckets for the project

Key: | `features.storage.buckets`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`
Initial value: | `true`

`features.storage.volumes`

Whether to use a separate set of storage volumes for the project

Key: | `features.storage.volumes`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`
Initial value: | `true`

## Project limits

Project limits define a hard upper bound for the resources that can be used by the containers and VMs that belong to a project.

Depending on the `limits.*` option, the limit applies to the number of entities that are allowed in the project (for example, `limits.containers` or `limits.networks`) or to the aggregate value of resource usage for all instances in the project (for example, `limits.cpu` or `limits.processes`). In the latter case, the limit usually applies to the Resource limits that are configured for each instance (either directly or via a profile), and not to the resources that are actually in use.

For example, if you set the project’s `limits.memory` configuration to `50GiB`, the sum of the individual values of all `limits.memory` configuration keys defined on the project’s instances will be kept under 50 GiB.

Similarly, setting the project’s `limits.cpu` configuration key to `100` means that the sum of individual `limits.cpu` values will be kept below 100.

When using project limits, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

- When you set one of the `limits.*` configurations and there is a corresponding configuration for the instance, all instances in the project must have the corresponding configuration defined (either directly or via a profile). See Resource limits for the instance configuration options.

- The `limits.cpu` configuration cannot be used if CPU pinning is enabled. This means that to use `limits.cpu` on a project, the `limits.cpu` configuration of each instance in the project must be set to a number of CPUs, not a set or a range of CPUs.

- The `limits.memory` configuration must be set to an absolute value, not a percentage.

`limits.containers`

Maximum number of containers that can be created in the project

Key: | `limits.containers`
Type: | integer

`limits.cpu`

Maximum number of CPUs to use in the project

Key: | `limits.cpu`
Type: | integer

This value is the maximum value for the sum of the individual `limits.cpu` configurations set on the instances of the project.

`limits.disk`

Maximum disk space used by the project

Key: | `limits.disk`
Type: | string

This value is the maximum value of the aggregate disk space used by all instance volumes, custom volumes, and images of the project.

`limits.disk.pool.POOL_NAME`

Maximum disk space used by the project on this pool

Key: | `limits.disk.pool.POOL_NAME`
Type: | string

This value is the maximum value of the aggregate disk space used by all instance volumes, custom volumes, and images of the project on this specific storage pool.

`limits.instances`

Maximum number of instances that can be created in the project

Key: | `limits.instances`
Type: | integer

`limits.memory`

Usage limit for the host’s memory for the project

Key: | `limits.memory`
Type: | string

The value is the maximum value for the sum of the individual `limits.memory` configurations set on the instances of the project.

`limits.networks`

Maximum number of networks that the project can have

Key: | `limits.networks`
Type: | integer

`limits.processes`

Maximum number of processes within the project

Key: | `limits.processes`
Type: | integer

This value is the maximum value for the sum of the individual `limits.processes` configurations set on the instances of the project.

`limits.virtual-machines`

Maximum number of VMs that can be created in the project

Key: | `limits.virtual-machines`
Type: | integer

## Project restrictions

To prevent the instances of a project from accessing security-sensitive features (such as container nesting or raw LXC configuration), set the `restricted` configuration option to `true`. You can then use the various `restricted.*` options to pick individual features that would normally be blocked by `restricted` and allow them, so they can be used by the instances of the project.

For example, to restrict a project and block all security-sensitive features, but allow container nesting, enter the following commands:

    incus project set <project_name> restricted=true
    incus project set <project_name> restricted.containers.nesting=allow

Each security-sensitive feature has an associated `restricted.*` project configuration option. If you want to allow the usage of a feature, change the value of its `restricted.*` option. Most `restricted.*` configurations are binary switches that can be set to either `block` (the default) or `allow`. However, some options support other values for more fine-grained control.

Note

You must set the `restricted` configuration to `true` for any of the `restricted.*` options to be effective. If `restricted` is set to `false`, changing a `restricted.*` option has no effect.

Setting all `restricted.*` keys to `allow` is equivalent to setting `restricted` itself to `false`.

`restricted`

Whether to block access to security-sensitive features

Key: | `restricted`
Type: | bool
Default: | `false`

This option must be enabled to allow the `restricted.*` keys to take effect. To temporarily remove the restrictions, you can disable this option instead of clearing the related keys.

`restricted.backups`

Whether to prevent creating instance or volume backups

Key: | `restricted.backups`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.cluster.groups`

Cluster groups that can be targeted

Key: | `restricted.cluster.groups`
Type: | string

If specified, this option prevents targeting cluster groups other than the provided ones.

`restricted.cluster.target`

Whether to prevent targeting of cluster members

Key: | `restricted.cluster.target`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`. When set to `allow`, this option allows targeting of cluster members (either directly or via a group) when creating or moving instances.

`restricted.containers.interception`

Whether to prevent using system call interception options

Key: | `restricted.containers.interception`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow`, `block`, or `full`. When set to `allow`, interception options that are usually safe are allowed. File system mounting remains blocked.

`restricted.containers.lowlevel`

Whether to prevent using low-level container options

Key: | `restricted.containers.lowlevel`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`. When set to `allow`, low-level container options like `raw.lxc`, `raw.idmap`, `volatile.*`, etc. can be used.

`restricted.containers.nesting`

Whether to prevent running nested Incus

Key: | `restricted.containers.nesting`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`. When set to `allow`, `security.nesting` can be set to `true` for an instance.

`restricted.containers.privilege`

Which settings for privileged containers to prevent

Key: | `restricted.containers.privilege`
Type: | string
Default: | `unprivileged`

Possible values are `unprivileged`, `isolated`, and `allow`.

- When set to `unprivileged`, this option prevents setting `security.privileged` to `true`.

- When set to `isolated`, this option prevents setting `security.privileged` to `true` and `security.idmap.isolated` to `false`.

- When set to `allow`, there is no restriction.

`restricted.devices.disk`

Which disk devices can be used

Key: | `restricted.devices.disk`
Type: | string
Default: | `managed`

Possible values are `allow`, `block`, or `managed`.

- When set to `block`, this option prevents using all disk devices except the root one.

- When set to `managed`, this option allows using disk devices only if `pool=` is set.

- When set to `allow`, there is no restriction on which disk devices can be used.

`restricted.devices.disk.paths`

Which `source` can be used for `disk` devices

Key: | `restricted.devices.disk.paths`
Type: | string

If `restricted.devices.disk` is set to `allow`, this option controls which `source` can be used for `disk` devices. Specify a comma-separated list of path prefixes that restrict the `source` setting. If this option is left empty, all paths are allowed.

`restricted.devices.gpu`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `gpu`

Key: | `restricted.devices.gpu`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.infiniband`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `infiniband`

Key: | `restricted.devices.infiniband`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.nic`

Which network devices can be used

Key: | `restricted.devices.nic`
Type: | string
Default: | `managed`

Possible values are `allow`, `block`, or `managed`.

- When set to `block`, this option prevents using all network devices.

- When set to `managed`, this option allows using network devices only if `network=` is set.

- When set to `allow`, there is no restriction on which network devices can be used.

`restricted.devices.pci`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `pci`

Key: | `restricted.devices.pci`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.proxy`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `proxy`

Key: | `restricted.devices.proxy`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.unix-block`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `unix-block`

Key: | `restricted.devices.unix-block`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.unix-char`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `unix-char`

Key: | `restricted.devices.unix-char`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.unix-hotplug`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `unix-hotplug`

Key: | `restricted.devices.unix-hotplug`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.devices.usb`

Whether to prevent using devices of type `usb`

Key: | `restricted.devices.usb`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`.

`restricted.idmap.gid`

Which host GID ranges are allowed in `raw.idmap`

Key: | `restricted.idmap.gid`
Type: | string

This option specifies the host GID ranges that are allowed in the instance’s `raw.idmap` setting.

`restricted.idmap.uid`

Which host UID ranges are allowed in `raw.idmap`

Key: | `restricted.idmap.uid`
Type: | string

This option specifies the host UID ranges that are allowed in the instance’s `raw.idmap` setting.

`restricted.images.servers`

Which image servers (HTTP host) are allowed for us in this project

Key: | `restricted.images.servers`
Type: | string

Specify a comma-delimited list of image servers domains that are allowed for use in this project. If this option is not set, all image servers are accessible.

`restricted.networks.access`

Which network names are allowed for use in this project

Key: | `restricted.networks.access`
Type: | string

Specify a comma-delimited list of network names that are allowed for use in this project. If this option is not set, all networks are accessible.

Note that this setting depends on the `restricted.devices.nic` setting.

`restricted.networks.integrations`

Which network integrations can be used in this project

Key: | `restricted.networks.integrations`
Type: | string

Specify a comma-delimited list of network integrations that can be used by networks in this project.

`restricted.networks.subnets`

Which network subnets are allocated for use in this project

Key: | `restricted.networks.subnets`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Specify a comma-delimited list of network subnets from the uplink networks that are allocated for use in this project. Use the form `<uplink>:<subnet>`.

`restricted.networks.uplinks`

Which network names can be used as uplink in this project

Key: | `restricted.networks.uplinks`
Type: | string

Specify a comma-delimited list of network names that can be used as uplink for networks in this project.

`restricted.networks.zones`

Which network zones can be used in this project

Key: | `restricted.networks.zones`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Specify a comma-delimited list of network zones that can be used (or something under them) in this project.

`restricted.snapshots`

Whether to prevent creating instance or volume snapshots

Key: | `restricted.snapshots`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

`restricted.storage-pools.access`

Which storage pool names are allowed for use in this project

Key: | `restricted.storage-pools.access`
Type: | string

Specify a comma-delimited list of storage pool names that are allowed for use in this project. If this option is not set, all storage pools are accessible.

`restricted.virtual-machines.lowlevel`

Whether to prevent using low-level VM options

Key: | `restricted.virtual-machines.lowlevel`
Type: | string
Default: | `block`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`. When set to `allow`, low-level VM options like `raw.qemu`, `volatile.*`, etc. can be used.

`restricted.virtual-machines.nesting`

Whether to prevent using nested virtualization

Key: | `restricted.virtual-machines.nesting`
Type: | string
Default: | `allow`

Possible values are `allow` or `block`. When set to `block`, `security.nesting` must be set to `false` on all virtual machines, turning off nested virtualization.

## Project-specific configuration

There are some Server configuration options that you can override for a project. In addition, you can add user metadata for a project.

`backups.compression_algorithm`

Compression algorithm to use for backups

Key: | `backups.compression_algorithm`
Type: | string

Specify which compression algorithm to use for backups in this project. Possible values are `bzip2`, `gzip`, `lz4`, `lzma`, `xz`, `zstd` or `none`.

`images.auto_update_cached`

Whether to automatically update cached images in the project

Key: | `images.auto_update_cached`
Type: | bool

`images.auto_update_interval`

Interval at which to look for updates to cached images

Key: | `images.auto_update_interval`
Type: | integer

Specify the interval in hours. To disable looking for updates to cached images, set this option to `0`.

`images.compression_algorithm`

Compression algorithm to use for new images in the project

Key: | `images.compression_algorithm`
Type: | string

Possible values are `bzip2`, `gzip`, `lz4`, `lzma`, `xz`, `zstd` or `none`.

`images.default_architecture`

Default architecture to use in a mixed-architecture cluster

Key: | `images.default_architecture`
Type: | string

`images.remote_cache_expiry`

When an unused cached remote image is flushed in the project

Key: | `images.remote_cache_expiry`
Type: | integer

Specify the number of days after which the unused cached image expires.

`network.hwaddr_pattern`

MAC address template

Key: | `network.hwaddr_pattern`
Type: | string
Scope: | global

Specify a MAC address template, e.g. `10:66:6a:xx:xx:xx`, to use within the cluster. Every `x` in the template will be replaced by a random character in `0`–`f`. Beware of the birthday paradox! A single `xx` block leads to a 10% collision probability with only 8 addresses; for a double `xx:xx` block, 118 addresses; for a triple `xx:xx:xx` block, 1881; for a quadruple `xx:xx:xx:xx` block, 30084. We provide absolutely no guardrail against that.

`user.*`

User-provided free-form key/value pairs

Key: | `user.*`
Type: | string