Basic network configuration

7.3.1. Basic network configuration#

Basic network setup involves three steps:

  1. Connect your Nubus for UCS system to a network.

  2. Configure IPv4 and/or IPv6 addresses.

  3. Define name servers.

These settings apply to standard network interfaces such as eth0 and eth1.

7.3.1.1. Configure IPv4 addresses#

IPv4 addresses identify your system on the network. Set them manually as a static address, or let DHCP assign one automatically. You write IPv4 addresses using a 32-bit length in four decimal blocks, such as 192.0.2.10.

For a static IP address configuration, enter the IP address in the field IPv4 address and the network mask for the network card in the field Netmask. To request an address from a DHCP server, click DHCP query and Nubus for UCS stores the IP address received from the DHCP server as static configuration.

You can also configure Nubus for UCS systems through DHCP by activating the Dynamic (DHCP) option. Nubus for UCS uses the dynamic configuration from the DHCP server. Some cloud providers require DHCP-based server configuration. If the DHCP server doesn’t assign an IP address, Nubus for UCS assigns a random link-local address 169.254.x.y instead.

Nubus for UCS systems also write the DHCP-assigned address to the LDAP directory.

Note

Not all services are suitable for use on a DHCP-based server. DNS servers, mail servers, and other services that clients expect to reach at consistent addresses require static IP configuration. Dynamic addresses can change, breaking client connections to these services.

Alternatively, you can set IPv4 addresses through UCR variables:

For the gateway setting, see Configure gateways.

Besides the physical interfaces, you can also define additional virtual interfaces in the form interfaces/*/setting. Virtual interfaces use the naming convention eth0_1, eth0_2, and so on. The number in the name identifies the virtual interface. In the network interface listing, these appear with colons instead of underscores, such as eth0:1 and eth0:2. This allows one network card to have multiple independent configurations and IP addresses.

For redundancy and load distribution across multiple network cards, see Configure bonding.

7.3.1.2. Configure IPv6 addresses#

You can configure the IPv6 address in two ways:

Automatic (SLAAC)

The routers on your network assign the IP address. Activate Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) in the user interface.

Static

Enter the IPv6 address and IPv6 prefix manually in the respective fields.

You write IPv6 addresses using a 128-bit length in hexadecimal form, such as 2001:0DB8:FE29:DE27:0000:0000:0000:0000.

IPv6 automatic configuration (SLAAC) assigns only the IP address, not DNS server information. Nubus for UCS doesn’t run a dedicated DHCPv6 client, but accepts DNS server information from DHCP if the server provides it.

One network card can have multiple IPv6 addresses. Each address needs a unique Identifier in the respective field. The primary address uses the Identifier default. Other addresses can have functional names like mail or web. For the gateway setting, see Configure gateways. For network isolation using VLANs, see Configure VLAN.

Alternatively, you can set IPv6 addresses through UCR variables:

7.3.1.3. Configure gateways#

In the Global network settings section, enter IP addresses for the network gateway in the Gateway (IPv4) and Gateway (IPv6) fields.

IPv4 gateway

You need a gateway to send traffic to networks outside your local subnet.

IPv6 gateway

You can configure an IPv6 gateway, though it’s optional. A configured gateway helps maintain consistent routing behavior.

A manually configured gateway takes priority over router advertisements (RA). Your system uses the gateway you set, not automatic updates. This is especially important for IPv6, where systems normally accept RA updates.

Alternatively, you can set gateways through UCR variables:

For additional network features, see:

7.3.1.4. Define name servers#

There are two types of DNS servers:

External DNS Server

Use external DNS servers to look up domain names outside your network, such as example.com. Your internet provider usually supplies these servers.

Domain DNS Server

A domain DNS server is the local DNS server for your Nubus for UCS domain. It looks up domain names and IP addresses for systems in your domain. When a query doesn’t match a domain name in your LDAP directory, the domain DNS server forwards it to an external DNS server. All domain DNS servers in your Nubus for UCS domain return the same information because they query the same LDAP directory.

Nubus for UCS has three directory node types: Primary Directory Node, Backup Directory Node, and Replica Directory Node. Each runs a local DNS server for your domain.

To configure name resolution, enter the IP address of your domain’s DNS server in the Domain DNS Server field. For the primary domain DNS server, use the address of your Primary Directory Node.

Alternatively, you can set name servers through UCR variables:

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