How to Change DHCP to Static IP Address on Fedora Using the Command Line

Introduction:

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of changing your network configuration from DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to a Static IP address on a Fedora-based Linux system using the command line. Switching to a static IP address can be useful for various reasons, such as setting up a server, ensuring a consistent IP for networked devices, or troubleshooting network issues. Follow these steps carefully to configure a static IP address on your Fedora system.

**Prerequisites:**

- A Fedora-based Linux system (such as Fedora Workstation)

- Administrative privileges (you may need to use `sudo`)

**Step 1: Open Terminal**

Open a terminal window on your Fedora system. You can do this by searching for "Terminal" in your applications or using the keyboard shortcut `Ctrl+Alt+T`.

**Step 2: Check Current Network Configuration**

Before making changes, it's a good practice to check your current network configuration. Use the following command to view your network settings:

```bash

ip addr show

```

Look for the network interface you want to configure with a static IP address. Typically, it's named something like `eth0` or `enp0s3`.

**Step 3: Backup Existing Configuration (Optional)**

It's always a good idea to back up your existing network configuration files before making changes. You can do this using the `cp` command:

```bash

sudo cp /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-your-interface-name /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-your-interface-name.backup

```

Replace `your-interface-name` with the actual name of your network interface.

**Step 4: Edit the Network Configuration File**

Next, open the network configuration file for editing using your preferred text editor. In this example, we'll use `nano`, but you can use `vi`, `gedit`, or any other text editor:

```bash

sudo nano /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-your-interface-name

```

Replace `your-interface-name` with the name of your network interface.

**Step 5: Configure the Static IP Address**

Inside the configuration file, you should see lines similar to this:

```bash

BOOTPROTO=dhcp

```

Change `dhcp` to `static`:

```bash

BOOTPROTO=static

```

Now, add the following lines to set your desired static IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers. Replace the placeholders with your specific network configuration:

```bash

IPADDR=your-static-ip-address

NETMASK=your-subnet-mask

GATEWAY=your-gateway-ip-address

DNS1=your-dns-server-1

DNS2=your-dns-server-2

```

**Step 6: Save and Exit**

Save your changes and exit the text editor (in `nano`, press `Ctrl+O` to save and `Ctrl+X` to exit).

**Step 7: Restart the Network Service**

To apply the changes, restart the network service using the following command:

```bash

sudo systemctl restart network

```

**Step 8: Verify the Configuration**

To confirm that your static IP address is properly configured, run:

```bash

ip addr show your-interface-name

```

Replace `your-interface-name` with your actual network interface name. You should see your static IP address in the output.

**Conclusion**

Congratulations! You have successfully changed your Fedora system from DHCP to a static IP address using the command line. Your network settings should now persist across reboots, providing a stable and predictable IP address for your system.