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Asked: 2024-09-26T04:27:00+05:30 In:

How can I configure a static IP address for an Ubuntu Server running in a VirtualBox environment?

I’m totally stuck with my Ubuntu Server running in VirtualBox and could really use some help from anyone who’s been through this. Okay, so here’s the deal: I need to configure a static IP address for my server. I’ve tried a few things, but either I keep losing connection or I just can’t seem to get it right.

First, let me give you a bit more context. I’m trying to set up a lab environment on my laptop, and everything needs to communicate properly. I’ve been using the default NAT settings in VirtualBox, but I’ve read that if I want to have a static IP, I might need to switch to Bridged Adapter mode. Is that really necessary? And if so, how do I do it without messing up the other settings I’ve got going on?

Once I switch to Bridged, is it just as simple as modifying the network configuration files on the Ubuntu Server? I found some tutorials that show editing the ‘netplan’ file, but they all seem to assume I know more than I actually do. What’s the correct syntax? Do I need to worry about things like DNS settings and the gateway?

Also, when it comes to actually setting the static IP, how do I choose what address to use? I’ve got my router’s IP range in mind, but I’m not sure if there’s a recommended way to avoid conflicts or overlap with other devices. Also, how to ensure that the settings stick after a reboot? I’ve had that issue before where everything looked good, but once I restarted, it reverted back to DHCP.

If you’ve gone through this and found a step-by-step method that works (with examples, maybe?), I’d be forever grateful. Screenshots or even just lines of code would help a ton since I’m a bit of a newbie. Any advice would be super appreciated! Thanks!

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    2 Answers

    1. To configure a static IP address on your Ubuntu Server running in VirtualBox, switching to Bridged Adapter mode is indeed a suitable option for ensuring your server communicates effectively with other devices on your network. To change the network settings in VirtualBox, go to the settings of your Ubuntu virtual machine, then navigate to the ‘Network’ section. Choose ‘Bridged Adapter’ from the ‘Attached to’ dropdown menu, and select the network interface corresponding to your laptop’s network connection. This setup allows your virtual machine to get an IP address from your local router, similar to other devices on your network.

      Once you have switched to Bridged mode, you will need to edit the netplan configuration files to set a static IP. This file is usually located at `/etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml`, but it may vary based on your installation. Your configuration might look something like this:

      
network:
    version: 2
    renderer: networkd
    ethernets:
        ens33:  # Change ens33 to your actual network interface name
            dhcp: no
            addresses:
                - 192.168.1.100/24  # Choose your static IP
            gateway4: 192.168.1.1  # Your router's IP
            nameservers:
                addresses:
                    - 8.8.8.8  # Google DNS
                    - 8.8.4.4

      Replace `ens33` with your actual network interface name, which you can find using the `ip a` command. Choose a static IP in the same subnet as your router, but make sure it’s not within the DHCP range to prevent conflicts. After editing, run sudo netplan apply to apply the changes. Your settings should persist after rebooting.



    2. Configuring Static IP on Ubuntu Server in VirtualBox

      How to Set a Static IP for Ubuntu Server in VirtualBox

      So you’re stuck with setting a static IP for your Ubuntu Server running in VirtualBox? I totally get it, it can be a bit overwhelming. Let’s break this down step by step.

      Switching to Bridged Adapter

      First off, yeah, switching to Bridged Adapter mode is usually the way to go if you want your server to have a static IP that other devices on your network can reach. To do this:

      1. Shut down your Ubuntu Server.
      2. Open VirtualBox and select your VM.
      3. Go to Settings > Network.
      4. Select the adapter you are using (usually Adapter 1) and change it to Bridged Adapter.
      5. Make sure to select your actual network interface (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the dropdown.

      Once you’ve done that, fire up your VM again.

      Editing the Netplan File

      Now, to set the static IP, you need to modify the netplan configuration file. Here’s how you do it:

      1. Open your terminal in Ubuntu.
      2. Type sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml (the file name may vary, just look for a .yaml file).
      3. Here’s an example of what you might put in there:
      
network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    enp0s3:                # Replace with your interface name (find it using 'ip a')
      dhcp4: no
      addresses: [192.168.1.100/24]  # Your desired static IP
      gateway4: 192.168.1.1         # Your router's IP
      nameservers:
          addresses: [8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4]  # Google DNS; you can also use your router's IP

      Remember to adjust the interface name (like enp0s3) and the IPs to match your setup.

      Applying Changes

      Once you’ve set this up, save and exit the editor (in nano, you can do this with CTRL + X, then Y to confirm, and Enter to save).

      Now, run sudo netplan apply to apply the changes.

      Avoiding IP Conflicts

      To avoid IP conflicts, make sure to choose an IP that’s outside the DHCP range of your router. You can check that by logging into your router’s interface, usually at something like 192.168.1.1 in your web browser. Just assign something like 192.168.1.100 or higher (if that’s not already used).

      Ensuring Settings Persist

      If you save the settings in the netplan file correctly and apply them, your static IP should stick after reboots. If it doesn’t, double-check your netplan configuration file and make sure you didn’t miss any syntax errors.

      Summary

      To recap:

      • Switch to Bridged Adapter in VirtualBox.
      • Edit the netplan file with your static IP details.
      • Run sudo netplan apply.
      • Choose an IP outside of your router’s DHCP range.

      Good luck, and don’t hesitate to ask for more help if you need it! You got this!


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