# IPFS Private cluster settings

**URL:** <https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/ipfs-private-cluster-settings/16000>\
**Category:** Help\
**Tags:** ipfs-cluster\
**Created:** [February 18, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/ipfs-private-cluster-settings/16000 "2023-02-18T20:26:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![username1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ee59a6/32.png) [@username1](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/username1)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/ipfs-private-cluster-settings/16000/1 "2023-02-18T20:26:32Z")

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It looks like in order to create a private cluster i need to export LIBP2P\_FORCE\_PNET=1 as an enviromental variable. Is it possible to define this in the config file instead of an enviromental variable?

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**Author:** ![Discordian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/discordian/32/4692_2.png) [@Discordian](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/Discordian)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/ipfs-private-cluster-settings/16000/2 "2023-02-21T19:38:32Z")

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`LIBP2P_FORCE_PNET=1` isn’t required, check out the docs [here](https://github.com/ipfs/kubo/blob/master/docs/experimental-features.md#private-networks). That variable just enforces Kubo to use the private network, and not operate otherwise. I don’t believe it has a configuration option via Kubo. You should be safe simply putting the `swarm.key` in the correct location and clearing your bootstrap list though.