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🌐 Network Configuration

MOS provides a flexible network configuration system supporting:

  • Multiple network interfaces (Multi-NIC)
  • Network bridges
  • VLAN configuration
  • IPv4 and IPv6 support
  • DHCP or static IP configuration

The network configuration can be managed through the MOS WebUI.

Settings → Network Interfaces

This section defines how the system connects to the network and how services such as Docker, LXC, VMs, and Shares are exposed.

Example:

MOS Network Interfaces

⚠️ Network Configuration Safety

When applying network changes, MOS protects you from accidental lockouts.

After applying a new network configuration:

  • MOS starts a 60 second confirmation timer
  • You must click Accept to confirm the new configuration

If the configuration is not confirmed within 60 seconds:

  • The previous network configuration will be automatically restored

This prevents losing access to the WebUI due to incorrect network settings.

🔁 Confirming the Configuration​

After applying changes, the Network Interfaces page must be opened again to confirm the new configuration.

If the IP address did not change:

  • Simply reopen the Network Interfaces page
  • Click Accept within the 60 second window

🌐 If the IP Address Changed​

If the network configuration changes the IP address of the MOS system:

  1. Open the WebUI using the new IP address
  2. Navigate again to:

Settings → Network Interfaces

  1. Click Accept within 60 seconds

You must access the WebUI using the new address before the 60 second timer expires.

⏱ What Happens If You Don't Confirm?​

If the configuration is not confirmed within 60 seconds:

  • MOS automatically restores the previous network configuration
  • The system becomes reachable again via the old IP address

This mechanism ensures you cannot permanently lock yourself out of the system.

Network Interfaces​

Each detected network interface can be configured individually.

Typical interfaces include:

  • Physical network interfaces (e.g. eth0, eth1)
  • Bridge interfaces (e.g. br0)
  • VLAN interfaces

Example view:

  • eth0 → physical network interface
  • br0 → bridge used by VMs and containers

🖧 Multi-NIC Support​

MOS supports multiple physical network interfaces.

This allows setups such as:

  • Separate management and VM networks
  • Storage network isolation
  • Multiple bridges
  • Advanced homelab network topologies

Example:

InterfaceUsage
eth0Management network
eth1VM network
br0Bridge for virtualization

Interface​

Specifies the physical network interface.

Example:

  • eth0

This is usually the primary Ethernet interface detected by the system.

Type​

Defines how the network interface is used by MOS.

The following interface types are available:

ethernet​

Uses the physical network interface directly without creating a bridge.

Characteristics:

  • Simple and minimal configuration
  • Interface receives the IP address directly
  • No virtual bridge is created

Use cases:

  • Systems without Docker, LXC, or VMs
  • Simple standalone servers
  • Minimal network setups

Limitations:

  • Not suitable for advanced container or VM networking
  • Containers and virtual machines cannot be attached directly

Creates a Linux bridge and attaches the physical interface to it.

Characteristics:

  • The system and all services share the same network
  • Containers and VMs appear as full devices on the LAN
  • Required for advanced networking features

Use cases:

  • Docker containers with custom networks
  • LXC containers
  • Virtual machines
  • Most server setups

Recommendation: This is the default and recommended mode for most installations.

bond​

Combines multiple physical network interfaces into a single logical interface.

Characteristics:

  • Increased redundancy and/or throughput
  • Multiple NICs act as one interface
  • Requires compatible switch configuration

Use cases:

  • High availability setups
  • Increased network bandwidth
  • Multi-NIC servers

Notes:

  • Switch-side configuration may be required (LACP or static bonding)
  • Misconfiguration can lead to loss of network connectivity

Type Selection Guide​

ScenarioRecommended Type
Single NIC, Docker / VMsbridged
Single NIC, no containersethernet
Multiple NICs, redundancybond
High-performance networkingbond

IPv4 DHCP​

Enables or disables automatic IPv4 configuration via DHCP.

  • Enabled:
    IP address, gateway, and DNS are assigned automatically by the network.
  • Disabled:
    Static IPv4 configuration is required.

Recommended:
Disable DHCP for servers and use a static IP address.

IPv4 Address​

Defines the static IPv4 address of the system.

Example:

  • 192.168.11.254

This address is used to access the MOS web interface and network services.

IPv4 Gateway​

Specifies the default gateway for outbound network traffic.

Example:

  • 192.168.11.1

This is typically the router IP address.

IPv4 DNS (comma separated)​

Defines DNS servers used for name resolution.

Example:

  • 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1

Multiple DNS servers can be specified, separated by commas.

Enable IPv6​

Enables or disables IPv6 support for the interface.

  • Enabled:
    System will accept and configure IPv6 addresses.
  • Disabled:
    IPv6 traffic is ignored.

Note:
Only enable IPv6 if your network infrastructure fully supports it.

🏷 VLAN Configuration

MOS supports creating VLAN interfaces directly from the WebUI.

To create a VLAN:

Add VLAN

VLAN Settings​

SettingDescription
VLAN IDThe VLAN identifier (e.g. 10, 20, 30)
MTUOptional MTU size
No IP AssignmentVLAN used only for bridging

VLAN with IP Configuration​

If No IP Assignment is disabled, you can configure:

  • IPv4 DHCP
  • Static IPv4
  • IPv6

This allows MOS itself to communicate within the VLAN network.

VLAN Use Cases​

Typical scenarios include:

  • Dedicated networks for VMs
  • Storage networks
  • Management networks
  • Segmented homelab environments

Best Practices​

  • Use a static IPv4 address for servers
  • Keep bridged networking enabled for container and VM support
  • Configure reliable DNS servers
  • Avoid changing network settings remotely without console access

✅ Summary

MOS networking supports:

  • Multiple network interfaces
  • Bridge networking
  • VLAN configuration
  • Static or DHCP networking
  • IPv4 and IPv6

Network changes are protected by a 60-second rollback mechanism to prevent accidental loss of connectivity.

Parts of this documentation were created with the assistance of AI tools. All AI-generated content has undergone review, but it may still contain inaccuracies, omissions, or outdated information.