How to Set Up a Static IP Address in Ubuntu 24.04

Introduction

Setting up a static IP address on Ubuntu 24.04 is essential for servers, virtual machines, and any system requiring a permanent IP for remote access or network stability. In this guide, we’ll walk you through configuring a static IP address using Netplan, Ubuntu’s default network management tool.

Why Use a Static IP?

A static IP address ensures that your system retains the same IP address even after reboots. Some use cases include:

• Hosting a web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx, WordPress)
• Remote access via SSH
• Network file sharing (NFS, Samba)
• Assigning specific devices in private networks

Step 1: Identify Your Network Interface

Before configuring a static IP, identify the network interface name using:

ip a

Look for an interface like eth0, ens33, or enp0s3. You will use this name in the Netplan configuration.

Step 2: Locate Netplan Configuration File

Netplan is the default network configuration tool in Ubuntu. The configuration files are located in /etc/netplan/. To list them, run:

ls /etc/netplan/

You will typically see a file named 00-installer-config.yaml or 50-cloud-init.yaml.

Step 3: Edit Netplan Configuration File

Open the Netplan configuration file with a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/netplan/50-cloud-init.yaml

Modify it to include a static IP address, replacing enp0s3 with your actual interface name:

network:
  version: 2
  renderer: networkd
  ethernets:
    enp0s3:
      dhcp4: no
      addresses:
        - 192.168.1.100/24  # Set your static IP
      routes:
        - to: default
          via: 192.168.1.1  # Set your gateway
      nameservers:
        addresses:
          - 8.8.8.8  # Google DNS
          - 8.8.4.4

Notes:

• Replace 192.168.1.100/24 with your desired static IP and subnet.
• Set the via value to your router’s gateway IP.
• Use Google’s public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or your preferred nameservers.

Step 4: Apply the Configuration

Save the file (CTRL + X, then Y, then Enter) and apply the changes:

sudo netplan apply

If you experience issues, test the configuration first:

sudo netplan try

If no errors appear, your static IP is now set.

Step 5: Verify Your Static IP

To check if the static IP is applied correctly, run:

ip a

You should see your assigned IP (192.168.1.100 in this case) associated with the network interface.

You can also check connectivity with:

ping 8.8.8.8

If the ping is successful, your internet connection is working with the static IP.

Step 6: Restart Networking (If Needed)

If the new IP does not take effect, restart the network service:

sudo systemctl restart systemd-networkd

Or reboot the system:

sudo reboot

Conclusion

Configuring a static IP address on Ubuntu 24.04 ensures that your system retains a consistent network identity. This is especially useful for servers, remote access, and local networking.

Following this guide, you have successfully set up and verified a permanent static IP using Netplan.

Stay tuned for more DevOps and Linux tutorials!