When running virtual machines on your network, consistent IP addresses make access and management much easier. Rather than configuring static IPs directly on each VM, you can use DHCP reservations in UniFi Network to ensure machines always receive the same address while still using automatic configuration.

Setting a Static IP via UniFi Network (DHCP Reservation)

1. Open your UniFi Network controller
2. Go to Client Devices and find your virtual machine (or wait for it to appear after connecting)
3. Click on the client to open its details
4. Click Settings (gear icon)
5. Under Network, enable Fixed IP Address
6. Enter your desired IP address
7. Click Apply

Alternatively, if the client isn’t visible yet:

1. Go to Settings → Networks
2. Select your network
3. Scroll to DHCP Service Management → Static IP Settings (or “DHCP Reservations” depending on controller version)
4. Click Add Static IP
5. Enter the MAC address of your virtual machine and the desired IP
6. Save

Removing Static IP in UniFi Network

1. Open your UniFi Network controller
2. Go to Client Devices and find your machine
3. Click on the client to open its details
4. Click Settings (gear icon)
5. Under Network, disable Fixed IP Address
6. Click Apply

Or via the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → Networks
2. Select your network
3. Scroll to DHCP Service Management → Static IP Settings
4. Find the reservation and click the trash icon to delete it
5. Save

Your machine will receive a new dynamic IP on its next DHCP lease renewal or immediately if you run sudo dhclient -r && sudo dhclient eth0 on Debian.