> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.megaport.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Shutting Down an IX for Failover Testing

> This help topic provides an overview of shutting down an IX for failover testing.

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Once you have joined an IX on the Megaport network, you can temporarily shut down the IX for failover testing, redundancy, or network design testing purposes.

When an IX has been shut down, you can view the IX service that has been shut down, and re-enable the IX service.

For more information about shutting down a Megaport service, see [Shutting Down a VXC for Failover Testing](/connections/shut-down-vxc).

<Tip>
  You can also decide whether to set the initial state of the connection to enabled (default) or shut down when creating the IX service. For more information, see [Joining an IX](/ix/joining-an-ix).
</Tip>

**To shut down an IX**

1. In the <Link href="https://portal.megaport.com">Megaport Portal</Link>, go to the **Services** page and locate the IX.

2. Click the gear icon next to the IX to make changes.
   <Image src="/images/ix/ix-gear-icon.png" alt="Edit an IX" shadow={true} width={300} />
   The Connection Configuration page appears.
   <Image src="/images/ix/ix-connection-details-shutdown.png" alt="IX Connection Configuration page" shadow={true} width={500} />

3. In the **IX State** field, click **Shut Down**.\
   A prompt appears, asking you to confirm the action.
   <Image src="/images/connections/vxc-connection-shutdown-prompt.png" alt="IX Connection Shutdown prompt" shadow={true} width={500} />

4. Read the prompt then click **Confirm** and **Save**.\
   The IX is shut down. This can take up to two minutes to take effect and be updated in the Megaport Portal.
   <Image src="/images/ix/ix-connection-shut-down.png" alt="IX Connection Shut Down in the Services Page" shadow={true} width={600} />

**To re-enable an IX**

1. In the <Link href="https://portal.megaport.com">Megaport Portal</Link>, go to the **Services** page and locate the IX that is shut down.

2. Click the gear icon next to the IX.
   <Image src="/images/ix/ix-gear-icon-blue.png" alt="Edit an IX" shadow={true} width={150} />

3. In the **IX State** field, click **Enabled**.

4. Click **Save**.\
   The IX is now enabled. This can take up to two minutes to take effect and be updated in the Megaport Portal.
   <Image src="/images/ix/ix-connection-enabled.png" alt="IX Connection Enabled in the Services Page" shadow={true} width={600} />
