How To Set Static IP Address on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Configuring a static IP address on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system can significantly enhance your network management capabilities. A static IP address provides a consistent address for your device, making it easier to connect and communicate within a network. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of setting a static IP address, whether you’re using the graphical user interface (GUI) or the command line.

Understanding Static IP

A static IP address is an IP address that does not change. Unlike dynamic IP addresses, which are assigned by a DHCP server and can change over time, static IPs remain constant. This stability is crucial for various applications, including hosting servers, remote access, and network devices like printers.

Advantages of Static IPs

• Consistent Network Identity: A static IP ensures that your device can always be found at the same address, making it ideal for networked devices that need to be accessed regularly.
• Reliable Remote Access: Services such as remote desktop or VPN connections benefit from static IPs, as they allow users to connect without worrying about changing addresses.
• Essential for Hosting Services: If you plan to host a website or server, a static IP is necessary for DNS mapping and ensuring reliable access for users.

Disadvantages of Static IPs

• Potential for IP Address Collisions: If multiple devices are assigned the same static IP, it can lead to connectivity issues.
• Requires Careful Management: Static IPs need to be documented and managed effectively to avoid conflicts and ensure proper network functioning.

Preparing for Configuration

Before diving into the configuration process, it’s essential to prepare adequately. Ensure that you have administrative (sudo) privileges on your Ubuntu system and gather the necessary information for your static IP setup.

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installed on your device.
• Administrative access to configure network settings.

Gather Necessary Information

• Desired Static IP Address: Choose an appropriate address within your network range (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
• Subnet Mask: Commonly used subnet masks include 255.255.255.0 for home networks.
• Gateway: This is typically your router’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
• DNS Servers: You may use public DNS servers like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

Configuring Static IP Using GUI

If you prefer a graphical interface, Ubuntu provides an easy way to set a static IP address through its network settings.

Accessing Network Settings

To begin, follow these steps:

1. Click on the network icon in the top-right corner of your screen.
2. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.

Steps to Configure

1. Select either “Wired” or “Wi-Fi” depending on your connection type.
2. Click on the gear icon next to your active connection.
3. Navigating to the “IPv4” tab, change the “IPv4 Method” from “Automatic (DHCP)” to “Manual.”
4. Add your desired static IP address, subnet mask, and gateway in their respective fields.
5. Add DNS servers in the DNS field, separating multiple entries with commas.

Applying Changes

Once you’ve entered all necessary information, click “Apply” to save changes. You may need to disconnect and reconnect to your network for changes to take effect.

Configuring Static IP Using Command Line

The command line offers a powerful way to configure network settings in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Follow these steps carefully.

Using Terminal for Configuration

1. Open the terminal by searching for “Terminal” in the applications menu or pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. List all available network interfaces by entering:

   ip a

Edit Netplan Configuration File

The netplan utility manages network configurations in recent versions of Ubuntu. To set up your static IP address:

1. Navigating to the netplan directory with:

   cd /etc/netplan/

2. You should see a YAML file (e.g.,
   01-netcfg.yaml). Open it using a text editor like nano:

   sudonano 01-netcfg.yaml

Sample Configuration

Your configuration file should look similar to this example:

network:
 version: 2
 renderer: networkd
 ethernets:
   enp0s3:
     dhcp4: false
     addresses: [192.168.1.100/24]
     routes:
       - to: default
         via: 192.168.1.1
     nameservers:
       addresses: [8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1]

This configuration disables DHCP and assigns a static IP address along with routing and DNS settings.

Applying Changes

After editing the configuration file, save your changes and exit the editor (in nano, press
Ctrl + X, then
Y, followed by
Enter). To apply the changes made in netplan, run:

sudonetplan apply

You can verify that your static IP has been set correctly by running:

ip a

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues after setting up a static IP address, here are some common problems and solutions:

IP Address Collision

If another device on the same network has been assigned the same static IP address, it can cause connectivity problems. To resolve this:

• ID Conflicting Devices: Use
  arp -a, or check your router’s connected devices list to identify any conflicts.
• Select Unique Addresses: Ensure that each device has a unique static IP within the same subnet range.

Network Connectivity Issues

If you cannot connect to the internet after configuring a static IP:

• Pinging Gateway:
  Use
  ping 192.168.1.1. If this fails, verify that your gateway is correctly set up in your configuration file.
• Pinging External Sites:
  Check if you can ping external sites like
  ping google.com. If not, there may be an issue with DNS settings or routing.

Reverting Changes

If problems persist after setting a static IP address, you can revert back to DHCP easily:

• Edit the netplan configuration file again and set
  dhcp4: true.
• Your configuration should look like this:

  network:
   version: 2
   renderer: networkd
   ethernets:
     enp0s3:
       dhcp4: true
       dhcp6: true

Tips for Managing Static IP Addresses Effectively

A few best practices can help you manage static IP addresses more effectively:

• Create an Address Reservation Plan: Document all assigned static IP addresses along with their corresponding devices in a spreadsheet or database.
• Avoid Using Common Ranges: When assigning static addresses, avoid using common ranges often reserved by DHCP servers (e.g., lower end of subnet).
• Simplify Troubleshooting with Naming Conventions: Use clear naming conventions for devices so you can easily identify them when troubleshooting connectivity issues.
• Simplify Future Configurations with Scripts: Consider creating scripts that automate the setup of new devices with predefined configurations if you’re managing multiple systems.
• Keen Monitoring Tools: Use monitoring tools such as Nagios or Zabbix to keep track of devices on your network and their respective statuses.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up a static IP address. Thanks for using this tutorial to set a static IP address on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Ubuntu website.