How do I configure a purchased IP address on my server?

If you have booked an IP address for your server, it is important to configure it correctly to ensure optimal network performance. This article explains how to set up your booked IP address on various operating systems, including Windows and various UNIX-based systems. Please note the necessity of correct configuration to avoid additional costs.

Before you begin, you can find your booked IP address, the associated gateway, and the subnet mask in your customer portal under the booked product. The subnet mask is displayed in CIDR format (e.g., /24) and must be converted to dotted decimal notation depending on the operating system.

Windows Server:

• Open the "Network and Sharing Center" and select "Change adapter settings".
• Right-click on the network adapter you wish to configure and select "Properties".
• Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties".
• Enter the booked IP address, subnet mask, and gateway.

Debian/Ubuntu (/etc/network/interfaces):

• Edit the /etc/network/interfaces file with a text editor of your choice.
• Add the appropriate configuration lines for your network interface. For example:
  auto eth0
  iface eth0 inet static
  address Your_IP_Address
  netmask Your_Subnet_Mask
  gateway Your_Gateway
• Restart the network with sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart or reboot the server.

CentOS/RHEL (using ifcfg files):

• Edit the relevant network configuration file, usually in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/, e.g., ifcfg-eth0.
• Ensure the file contains the following lines:
  TYPE=Ethernet
  BOOTPROTO=none
  NAME=eth0
  DEVICE=eth0
  ONBOOT=yes
  IPADDR=Your_IP_Address
  NETMASK=Your_Subnet_Mask
  GATEWAY=Your_Gateway
• Restart the network interface with sudo systemctl restart network.

Modern Ubuntu versions (Netplan):

• Edit the Netplan configuration file found in /etc/netplan/. The file may be named something like 01-netcfg.yaml.
• Edit the file to reflect your static IP configuration:
  network:
    version: 2
    ethernets:
      eth0:
        dhcp4: no
        addresses: [Your_IP_Address/Subnet_Prefix]
        routes:
          - to: default
            via: Your_Gateway
        nameservers:
          addresses: [DNS_Server_Address]
• Apply the changes with sudo netplan apply.

Other UNIX-based methods:

1. FreeBSD (via rc.conf):

   • Edit the file /etc/rc.conf.
   • Add configuration lines for your network interface, e.g.:
     ifconfig_em0="inet Your_IP_Address netmask Your_Subnet_Mask"
     defaultrouter="Your_Gateway"

2. Solaris (via ifconfig):

   • Use the ifconfig command to set the network configuration. Execute the following:
     ifconfig e1000g0 plumb
     ifconfig e1000g0 Your_IP_Address netmask Your_Subnet_Mask up
     route add default Your_Gateway

Important: Correct configuration and avoiding additional costs

Incorrect configuration of the IP address may result in network issues, including loss of remote access to the server. This can incur additional costs for remote hands services to restore server operation, especially if no management access is booked. Therefore, ensure that you use the correct IP address, subnet mask, and gateway according to the instructions in your customer portal.

Proper configuration of your IP address on your server ensures smooth operation and secure network connectivity while avoiding unnecessary extra charges.