How to set a static IP address on a linux server or desktop

Setting a Static IP on Ubuntu 24.04 Servers and Linux Mint Desktops

Overview

This guide covers setting a static IP address on Ubuntu 24.04 servers (which use netplan) and on Linux Mint or Ubuntu desktop systems (which use NetworkManager). The /etc/network/interfaces method used in older Ubuntu releases does not apply to Ubuntu 24.04.

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For Ubuntu 24.04 Servers (Netplan)

This applies to standalone Ubuntu VMs and servers. Proxmox hosts use a different method and are not covered here.

Prerequisites

• sudo access on the server
• The static IP address you want to assign
• SSH access or Proxmox console access

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Steps

1. Find Your Default Gateway

Before editing anything, confirm your current gateway address:

ip route show

Look for the line beginning with default via — the IP address that follows is your gateway. Note it down, you will need it shortly.

2. Find Your Network Interface Name

ip link show

Look for your active interface — commonly ens18 on Proxmox VMs. Note the name.

3. View the Current Netplan Configuration

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

You should see something like:

network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    ens18:
      dhcp4: true

This confirms the interface name and that DHCP is currently active.

4. Edit the Netplan Configuration

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

Replace the entire contents with the following, substituting your values:

network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    ens18:
      dhcp4: false
      addresses:
        - 192.168.1.XXX/24
      routes:
        - to: default
          via: 192.168.1.YYY
      nameservers:
        addresses:
          - 1.1.1.1
          - 8.8.8.8

Replace:

• ens18 with your interface name from Step 2
• 192.168.1.XXX with your desired static IP
• 192.168.1.YYY with your gateway address from Step 1

Save and exit: Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter.

5. Apply the Configuration

sudo netplan apply

Your SSH session will drop immediately when this runs — that is expected behavior, not an error. The IP address has changed.

6. Reconnect at the New IP

Open a new terminal and SSH to the new static IP:

ssh mark@192.168.1.XXX

7. Verify the New IP is Active

ip addr show

Confirm your new static IP appears next to your interface name with scope global.

8. Verify SSH Service is Running

In some cases, particularly on template VMs, the SSH service may be inactive after the IP change. Check its status:

sudo systemctl status ssh

If it shows inactive or disabled, enable and start it:

sudo systemctl enable ssh --now

Then reboot the VM to confirm SSH starts automatically on future boots:

sudo reboot

Reconnect after reboot and verify SSH is working at the new IP.

9. Test Connectivity

ping -c 3 1.1.1.1

If ping succeeds, your static IP is configured correctly.

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For Linux Mint / Ubuntu Desktop (NetworkManager)

GUI Method (Recommended)

1. Click the network icon in your system tray
2. Click Network Settings or Edit Connections
3. Find your active connection and click the gear icon or Edit
4. Go to the IPv4 Settings tab
5. Change method from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual
6. Click Add and enter:
   • Address: your desired static IP
   • Netmask: 255.255.255.0 (or 24)
   • Gateway: your gateway address (run ip route show to confirm)
7. In the DNS servers field enter: 1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8
8. Click Save
9. Disconnect and reconnect to the network

Command Line Method (Alternative)

First, find your connection UUID:

nmcli connection show

Then apply the static IP settings using your UUID:

nmcli connection modify <UUID> ipv4.method manual ipv4.addresses 192.168.1.XXX/24 ipv4.gateway 192.168.1.YYY ipv4.dns "1.1.1.1 8.8.8.8"

Bring the connection down and back up to apply:

nmcli connection down <UUID> && nmcli connection up <UUID>

Verify:

ip addr show | grep "inet "

Note: If you see warnings about duplicate connection names, use the UUID instead of the connection name in all commands.

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Configuration Fields Explained

• dhcp4: false — Disables DHCP, so the static address is used instead
• addresses — Your static IP with subnet mask (/24 = 255.255.255.0)
• routes / via — Your router’s gateway IP address
• nameservers — DNS servers used for name resolution