Feature Enhancement Request - Static IP Addresses

Joe N3HEE

I have created DHCP reservations for my radio and front panel IP's in my router.  However, it would be nice to be able to assign a static IP address to the radio and front panel.  This would prevent IP addresses from changing.  This is especially useful when using third party applications that rely on connecting to the radio via IP.  

W1MSG

Just set a static ip by mac address in the router. Thats how mine is set up.

Joe N3HEE

Yes, that is what I did.  Just looking for some flexibility in network settings without going into the router.

K1DLM

Being able to assign a static IP address to the Radio itself would be fantastic. You can use your router to define a static IP lease reservation using the MAC address of the Radio. Only problem is Flex seems to periodically change the MAC address with certain software updates. For anyone that has basic networking skills, being able to manually assign IP Address data into the radio would be the way to go. Unfortunately, this is not supported.

Joe N3HEE

I wonder why they are changing MAC addresses ?

K1DLM

I don’t know, but it breaks the port forwarding rules in the router for remote access when they do so.

Andy - KU7T

Why do you need static IPs? Just wondering, as I have not had the need... 73 Andy KU7T

George KF2T

Joe N3HEE

K5CG

Andy - KU7T

KC4SW

I have read and agree with some of what has been said in the replies above. While it is might not be germane to this particular discussion a nod to network security might be appropriate. DHCP is great if you do not have networking experience or if you have a large turn-over of users, think Starbucks lounge,, but... if you use a wireless environment that get’s breached DHCP will give the bad guy a valid address and then he is free to hi-jack your system. In all of the Systems I support DHCP is limited to 1 plus the number of known mobile users although regular mobile users are assigned addresses. To the point of the question, my 6500 and Maestro are both assigned fixed addresses. Additionally my firewall configuration file contains specific route instructions from the outside to the radio on specific ports/protocols.

Martin AA6E

Third party apps should find the IP using Flex's broadcast packets. That's how the Maestro works, for example. This works within your local network, at least. No need for fixed IP address.

Joe N3HEE