Basic static IP Questions.

[Vectraat]

So I'm wanting to use a static IP for my NAS because every time I reboot the NAS I need to reconfigure certain things. I don't know shit about networking and my ISP won't help me so I have the following questions to ask...

1.) If I'm looking to get a static IP via my router, It's called "DHCP Reservation" ? I can't seem to see anything else that would be applicable unless you have some suggestions. 

 

2.) How do I determine the range of IP's I can choose from? 

3.) If I set a DHCP Reservation from my router for my NAS, I assume every single thing I run from the NAS will be using that IP? For example, Plex, Kodi and even the Desktop share folder pointing to my NAS will connect to that IP? 

Thanks

[Jarsky]

Just now, Vectraat said:

1.) If I'm looking to get a static IP via my router, It's called "DHCP Reservation" ? I can't seem to see anything else that would be applicable unless you have some suggestions. 

Thats the one. You can either configure your NAS with a static IP by entering all the information manually, or allow your router to assign it a static IP like you suggested which is my preferred method. So if you want your router to do it, then yes DHCP Reservation is the one you want. 

 

Just now, Vectraat said:

2.) How do I determine the range of IP's I can choose from? 

Your router will be configured with a private /8 or /16 IP address. But essentially you can use any available IP address in the "network" 

If your routers IP is 192.168.1.1, then you can use any of the 255 IP addresses in that 192.168.1.x range. That is you can use 192.168.1.2 > 192.168.1.254.

(192.168.1.0 is reserved for network, and 192.168.1.255 is reserved for broadcast so you cant use those)

 

Just open Command Prompt and do a ping to the IP address you want to use first, to make sure its not in use on your network (or your router might show you the current connected devices)

Just now, Vectraat said:

3.) If I set a DHCP Reservation from my router for my NAS, I assume every single thing I run from the NAS will be using that IP? For example, Plex, Kodi and even the Desktop share folder pointing to my NAS will connect to that IP? 

Thanks

Correct. Your NAS will use Docker or something similar to deploy the apps, which will map the ports on the "virtual switch" on your NAS, to your main IP address.

So you will just use the single IP address. 

[Vectraat]

33 minutes ago, Jarsky said:

Thats the one. You can either configure your NAS with a static IP by entering all the information manually, or allow your router to assign it a static IP like you suggested which is my preferred method. So if you want your router to do it, then yes DHCP Reservation is the one you want. 

 

Your router will be configured with a private /8 or /16 IP address. But essentially you can use any available IP address in the "network" 

If your routers IP is 192.168.1.1, then you can use any of the 255 IP addresses in that 192.168.1.x range. That is you can use 192.168.1.2 > 192.168.1.254.

(192.168.1.0 is reserved for network, and 192.168.1.255 is reserved for broadcast so you cant use those)

 

Just open Command Prompt and do a ping to the IP address you want to use first, to make sure its not in use on your network (or your router might show you the current connected devices)

Correct. Your NAS will use Docker or something similar to deploy the apps, which will map the ports on the "virtual switch" on your NAS, to your main IP address.

So you will just use the single IP address. 

Ok, thanks for that.

1.) I think I will make a DHCP Reservation then. I just need an IP address to use and the MAC address of my NAS to do so. Strange, why does my NAS list 2 MAC addresses on the back of the unit, but when I look at my router settings, it only lists one MAC address for my NAS? Even with an DHCP reservation I still need to tweak the network settings on my NAS. 

2.) Don't know what the /8 /16 thing means. In my router options, when I click on "LAN IP Settings" I can see my Modem IP Address, Modem Subnet Mask, Beginning IP Address, Ending IP Address and Submet Mask. Does this mean I can pick an address from after the "Beginning IP Address" to one right before the "Ending IP Address" to use as a static IP? I can see what my Kodi NFS IP was before it was changed due to a NAS reboot, I should be safe to use that IP I assume. I just CMD'ed it - typed "Ping" and it says "Destination host unreachable" so should be fine. I was just thinking about using a sequential IP within my range to be a bit more organized, just still fuzzy on what the range is per my specific hardware. 

[Donut417]

3 minutes ago, Vectraat said:

Does this mean I can pick an address from after the "Beginning IP Address" to one right before the "Ending IP Address" to use as a static IP?

No. Basically most gateways and routers will allow you to set a range of IP's that your DHCP server can use. The DHCP server is what assigns IP's to your device. If you are setting up a static IP you need to make sure you choose one outside of the range of the DHCP server. For example in the past I recall Linksys routers starting its DHCP range at 192.168.1.100. 192.168.1.1 would be reserved for the router as its address meaning 192.168.1.2 thru 192.168.1.99 could be used as a static IP. 

 

Im not sure which IP addressing your router uses. Mine uses the 192.168.1.x, I know some ISP equipment uses 10.0.0.x. But at the end of the day I would just make sure that you change the Beginning IP to something a bit higher. Then just set your statics between the gateway address (The router) and the beginning IP address for the DHCP server. 

 

 

[Jarsky]

11 minutes ago, Vectraat said:

Ok, thanks for that.

1.) I think I will make a DHCP Reservation then. I just need an IP address to use and the MAC address of my NAS to do so. Strange, why does my NAS list 2 MAC addresses on the back of the unit, but when I look at my router settings, it only lists one MAC address for my NAS? Even with an DHCP reservation I still need to tweak the network settings on my NAS. 

does your NAS have 2 network ports, or a network port and wifi? the mac address corresponds to a "physical" connection. 

If you see it connected in your router, then use that mac address, as thats the one for the network interface thats connected. 

 

If the NAS is on "DHCP" or Auto then it should get all the subnet mask, DNS settings, etc....as this is part of the DHCP handshake process from the DHCP Broadcast

 

Quote

2.) Don't know what the /8 /16 thing means. In my router options, when I click on "LAN IP Settings" I can see my Modem IP Address, Modem Subnet Mask, Beginning IP Address, Ending IP Address and Submet Mask. Does this mean I can pick an address from after the "Beginning IP Address" to one right before the "Ending IP Address" to use as a static IP? I can see what my Kodi NFS IP was before it was changed due to a NAS reboot, I should be safe to use that IP I assume. I just CMD'ed it - typed "Ping" and it says "Destination host unreachable" so should be fine. I was just thinking about using a sequential IP within my range to be a bit more organized, just still fuzzy on what the range is per my specific hardware. 

 

It doesn't really matter what the CIDR means for your use. 

But yes, you can use any available IP address in between the Beginning and Ending IP addresses that you see in the router, as a static IP. 

Ideally you make static IP reservations outside of the DHCP Scope range, but most routers the default scope is the entire network (e.g 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.254)

 

You could choose to use the same IP address if its not used elsewhere, or you could assign something else. 

 

For example, my Wifi connected clients are 192.168.1.0xx, my LAN connected clients are 192.168.1.1xx and my servers/nas/network devices are all 192.168.1.2xx

[Vectraat]

28 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

No. Basically most gateways and routers will allow you to set a range of IP's that your DHCP server can use. The DHCP server is what assigns IP's to your device. If you are setting up a static IP you need to make sure you choose one outside of the range of the DHCP server. For example in the past I recall Linksys routers starting its DHCP range at 192.168.1.100. 192.168.1.1 would be reserved for the router as its address meaning 192.168.1.2 thru 192.168.1.99 could be used as a static IP. 

 

Im not sure which IP addressing your router uses. Mine uses the 192.168.1.x, I know some ISP equipment uses 10.0.0.x. But at the end of the day I would just make sure that you change the Beginning IP to something a bit higher. Then just set your statics between the gateway address (The router) and the beginning IP address for the DHCP server. 

 

 

But If I'm doing a DHCP reserve of an IP within a range of IP's that DHCP uses, what is the problem with that? Wouldn't my router simply remove that IP address from the list of potential DHCP addresses? Meaning, there'd be no conflict if new devices connected to the network, as they could not access that IP. 

[Electronics Wizardy]

6 minutes ago, Vectraat said:

But If I'm doing a DHCP reserve of an IP within a range of IP's that DHCP uses, what is the problem with that? Wouldn't my router simply remove that IP address from the list of potential DHCP addresses? Meaning, there'd be no conflict if new devices connected to the network, as they could not access that IP. 

Yea using a reserved dhcp ip in the dhcp range is normally fine, it won't give that ip out to any other devices.

[Donut417]

7 minutes ago, Vectraat said:

But If I'm doing a DHCP reserve of an IP within a range of IP's that DHCP uses, what is the problem with that?

With IP reservation you dont choose the address your device gets. You basically lock what ever IP address the DHCP server gives the device to the Mac address of that said device. So it wont ever change. 

 

Because you stated in a previous post you wanted to "Organize" you IP address assignment. Reservation doesnt allow this. Manually setting the address on the device will, but you need to be out of range of the DHCP server to do this. 

 

Reservation will work Fine. 

[Vectraat]

5 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

With IP reservation you dont choose the address your device gets. You basically lock what ever IP address the DHCP server gives the device to the Mac address of that said device. So it wont ever change. 

 

Because you stated in a previous post you wanted to "Organize" you IP address assignment. Reservation doesnt allow this. Manually setting the address on the device will, but you need to be out of range of the DHCP server to do this. 

 

Reservation will work Fine. 

What? I'm looking at my router settings now under "DHCP Reservation" and I can pick from a long list of IP's via a drop down menu. Or I can manually enter an IP address. So I'm not following you when you say you "don't choose the address your device gets". 

[CerealExperimentsLain]

I just want to point out but setting IPs manually on the device, outside of the DHCP range (I usually start DHCP at .100, and .2-.99 is reserved for manual IP) because when my pfSense box is offline for one reason or another, my wired systems can still communicate over the network switches as if nothing's wrong.

 

...That way I can sitll watch media off my UnRAID server while I tinker with pfSense.

[Donut417]

34 minutes ago, Vectraat said:

What? I'm looking at my router settings now under "DHCP Reservation" and I can pick from a long list of IP's via a drop down menu. Or I can manually enter an IP address. So I'm not following you when you say you "don't choose the address your device gets". 

Doesnt work that way on all routers. Mine only reserves what the device was currently assigned. 

[Vectraat]

1 hour ago, Jarsky said:

does your NAS have 2 network ports, or a network port and wifi? the mac address corresponds to a "physical" connection. 

If you see it connected in your router, then use that mac address, as thats the one for the network interface thats connected. 

 

If the NAS is on "DHCP" or Auto then it should get all the subnet mask, DNS settings, etc....as this is part of the DHCP handshake process from the DHCP Broadcast

 

 

It doesn't really matter what the CIDR means for your use. 

But yes, you can use any available IP address in between the Beginning and Ending IP addresses that you see in the router, as a static IP. 

Ideally you make static IP reservations outside of the DHCP Scope range, but most routers the default scope is the entire network (e.g 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.254)

 

You could choose to use the same IP address if its not used elsewhere, or you could assign something else. 

 

For example, my Wifi connected clients are 192.168.1.0xx, my LAN connected clients are 192.168.1.1xx and my servers/nas/network devices are all 192.168.1.2xx

My NAS has 2 ethernet ports. So from what you're saying, 1 MAC address corresponds to each ethernet port? But if it wasn't for the router (or perhaps It's somewhere to be found in the DSM software) I'd just be guessing as to which MAC address I should use. Either way, doesn't really matter, just thought it was unusual. 

CIDR? 

Why is it ideal to make static IP reservations outside of DHCP? 'cause it doesn't really seem to matter to me as it won't ever cause any conflict? I'm just kinda reluctant to pick a wrong IP is all because while the same principles apply across all routers, mine has a way different UI/Layout than any others I've seen. When I enter "DHCP Reservation" --> "Select an IP address to associate with a MAC address." I can scroll through a long list of IP addresses from the drop down menu. 
Let's say they start at: 192.168.1.69 and they go up to: 192.168.1.259......... I guess I either use something like 192.168.1.68 OR 192.168.1.260? Just one digit apart. I mean I'm assuming this is my range but I have no idea. Everything is just arranged in such a sloppy half-assed manner on this router. 

[Mihle]

This doesn't help you but I post anyway:

 

On my router there is no such thing called "DHCP Reservation", you just click on the device you want to have a static IP, then just click a button that says Reserve IP, and then a field to enter IP where the IP it had at the moment was already filled out. Do not have to fill in MAC address manually or anything.

 

(Even if it's not called DHCP Reservation in the GUI it might be what it is)

 

Even before doing that, I didn't really have any problems personally as my NAS got the same IP automatically anyway, never changed.

[Jarsky]

7 hours ago, Donut417 said:

With IP reservation you dont choose the address your device gets. You basically lock what ever IP address the DHCP server gives the device to the Mac address of that said device. So it wont ever change. 

Every DHCP reservation implementation ive seen allows you to specify the IP. All it does is put a static entry in the DHCP table. 

On consumer routers, some only let you click "Reserve" but they allow you to edit it after the fact. 

[Jarsky]

6 hours ago, Vectraat said:

My NAS has 2 ethernet ports. So from what you're saying, 1 MAC address corresponds to each ethernet port? But if it wasn't for the router (or perhaps It's somewhere to be found in the DSM software) I'd just be guessing as to which MAC address I should use. Either way, doesn't really matter, just thought it was unusual. 

Yeah so 1 mac address is assigned to each ethernet port. Your router doesnt "choose", the mac address is assigned to the physical port.

Think of a mac address as like the address for your house, it never changes. Where as the IP address could be more like a phone number, it can easily be changed. 

6 hours ago, Vectraat said:

CIDR? 

The /8 /16 i was talking about, is called CIDR; but dont worry about it, doesnt mean anything for what we're discussing. 

 

6 hours ago, Vectraat said:

Why is it ideal to make static IP reservations outside of DHCP? 'cause it doesn't really seem to matter to me as it won't ever cause any conflict?

I wouldn't worry about it, it becomes an issue on larger networks, but for a home user typically its not a concern. 

 

6 hours ago, Vectraat said:

I'm just kinda reluctant to pick a wrong IP is all because while the same principles apply across all routers, mine has a way different UI/Layout than any others I've seen. When I enter "DHCP Reservation" --> "Select an IP address to associate with a MAC address." I can scroll through a long list of IP addresses from the drop down menu. 
Let's say they start at: 192.168.1.69 and they go up to: 192.168.1.259......... I guess I either use something like 192.168.1.68 OR 192.168.1.260? Just one digit apart. I mean I'm assuming this is my range but I have no idea. Everything is just arranged in such a sloppy half-assed manner on this router. 

Just pick an IP address in the DHCP range and leave it at that. 

P.S Just to be picky, the last octet only has 256 values (0-255) so you can't use 259 or 260 Can only use up to 254.