How to set a static IP address on FreeNAS

FreeNAS assigns a dynamic IP address configuration automatically during setup. However, because it’s a server sharing files and other services to a local network, it’s recommended to use a static IP address instead.

If you don’t assign a static IP address, the services FreeNAS provides to other devices will eventually stop working. This is because, by default, connected devices use dynamic IP addresses assigned by the DHCP server (usually your router), which can change as soon as you restart the server or after the dynamically assigned configuration expires.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to set a static IP address configuration on FreeNAS version 11.2 or higher. (You can use these steps to set an static IP on Windows 10.)

• How to assign static IP address using FreeNAS console
• How to assign static IP address using FreeNAS web interface

How to assign static IP address using FreeNAS console

Use these steps to set a static IP address on FreeNAS using the console:

1. Open FreeNAS console.

2. Type option 1 and press Enter.

3. Type option 1 to select the network adapter and press Enter.

4. Type n to skip removing current settings and press Enter.

5. Type n to skip the DHCP configuration and press Enter.

6. Type y to set a new IPv4 configuration and press Enter.

7. Type an interface name (for example, em0) and press Enter.

8. Type the new static IP address (for example, 10.1.2.158) for the FreeNAS server and press Enter.

   Quick tip: In your server, make sure the static IP address matches your network configuration. For example, usually, home and small businesses network use the 192.168.1.x addressing scheme.

   

9. Type the subnet mask address of the network (for example, 255.255.255.0) and press Enter.

   Quick tip: In your server, make sure the netmask address matches your network configuration. Usually, you can find this information on your router, or querying the IP address configuration of your Windows 10 machine using the ipconfig command.

10. Type n to skip the setting up a static IPv6 configuration and press Enter.

Once you complete the steps, you can now connect to the FreeNAS server using the new static IP address.

How to assign static IP address using FreeNAS web interface

Use these steps to set a static IP address on FreeNAS using the web interface:

1. Open FreeNAS in your web browser.

2. Sign into your root account.

3. Click on Network from the left pane.

4. Click on Interfaces.

5. Click the settings (three-dotted) button next to the active network interface and select the Edit option.

   

6. In the “Interface Name” field, type a descriptive name for the interface. For example, em0.

7. Clear the DHCP option.

8. In the “IPv4 Address” field, specify a static IP address that matches your network outside the DHCP scope. For example, 10.1.2.158.

   

9. Use the “IPv4 Netmask” drop-down menu and select the subnet mask. For example, 24 if the network is “255.255.255.0.” Usually, you can find this information on your router, or querying the IP address configuration of your Windows 10 machine.

10. Click the Save button.

11. Check the Confirm option.

    

12. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, make sure to refresh the FreeNAS web interface using the new static IP address.

If you’re updating the network configuration, never remove the interface as you’ll lose the connection with the server, and you’ll need to configure it again from the FreeNAS command console.