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    Renew DHCP IP

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • T Offline
      Thalhammer
      last edited by

      Hi,

      I am using PFSense behind a ISP Modem/Router Combo.
      It's WAN side is configured with a static IPv4 address (in the ISP modem network) and all ports on the ISP Router are forwarded to PfSense.
      IPv6 is configured as DHCPv6.
      Every now and then the ISP Modem gets a new IPv6 address, but PFSense does not update its IP.
      I could solve this by triggering a manual DHCP renew, but to my surprise there is no option to do so. I found some tutorials/documents which say there should be a button on "Status->Interfaces" but there is none, so I assume those are outdated.
      Why did it get removed and how can I trigger a DHCP refresh now ?

      Sincerely,
      Thalhammer

      JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • JKnottJ Offline
        JKnott @Thalhammer
        last edited by

        @Thalhammer

        DHCPv6 goes through a sequence similar to IPv4, with solicit, advertise, request & reply XID packets. Once an address is established, there are renew & reply packets. Are you seeing those? Also, the address shouldn't just change on it's own, without one or the other sequence receiving the address.

        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
        UniFi AC-Lite access point

        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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        • T Offline
          Thalhammer
          last edited by

          So if I understand correctly, the isp router should update the address of my "client" pfsense automatically if it gets a new IPv6 net ?

          I could try setting up a capture between pfsense and the isp router, but I have no idea when I get a new IP and the timeframe between renewals usually is quite large (multiple weeks).

          To be clear: The issue is not that pfsense does not get an address. The issue is that there is no way on the ui to renew that address (like it is with ipv4). I am not deep enough into ipv6 (yet) to be sure if this expected behaviour, but if it is I would expect it to also refresh automatically if the subnet changes.

          JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • JKnottJ Offline
            JKnott @Thalhammer
            last edited by

            @Thalhammer

            Is your modem in bridge or gateway mode? With pfsense, you want bridge mode. This way, the DHCPv6-PD will reach pfsense. Also, you will get a WAN address that has nothing to do with your prefix and might not be used in routing.

            PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
            i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
            UniFi AC-Lite access point

            I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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            • stephenw10S Offline
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              @Thalhammer said in Renew DHCP IP:

              all ports on the ISP Router are forwarded to PfSense

              Sounds more like a DMZ mode.

              Static v4 and dynamic v6 is not that common. I suspect the static v4 address is preventing the manual renew lease button appearing on Status > Interfaces.

              Steve

              JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • JKnottJ Offline
                JKnott @stephenw10
                last edited by

                @stephenw10

                Are the IPv4 and IPv6 address configurations connected? When I look at the WAN configuration, I see I can set them independently. Also, what button is being mentioned here. I see a Release WAN button on the Status / Interfaces page, but nothing on the Interfaces / WAN page.

                PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                UniFi AC-Lite access point

                I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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                • stephenw10S Offline
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  Yes, that button. There isn't a separate button for dhcpv6 so you can't renew that if v4 is set to static. I think at least!

                  Steve

                  JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • JKnottJ Offline
                    JKnott @stephenw10
                    last edited by

                    @stephenw10

                    Well, I use DHCP for both IPv4 and IPv6. I only have the one button for IPv4. Does it trigger a release on both? Also, IPv6 is a bit more complex than IPv4, in that there's not only a WAN address, but also a prefix and I've found the prefix is pretty much permanent. With IPv4, I'll get a different address & host name, if I change either my WAN NIC or modem. I have changed both in recent months, but my prefix remains.

                    PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                    i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                    UniFi AC-Lite access point

                    I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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                    • stephenw10S Offline
                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                      last edited by

                      Mmm, your ISP is better than some then. I get new prefixes at random and it's really annoying. 😉

                      JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • JKnottJ Offline
                        JKnott @stephenw10
                        last edited by

                        @stephenw10

                        I used to have that problem too, until the Do not allow PD/Address release setting was added.

                        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                        UniFi AC-Lite access point

                        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • stephenw10S Offline
                          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                          last edited by

                          I have that set. Hard to really say if it made a difference for me. It certainly doesn't prevent it entirely.

                          Steve

                          JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • JKnottJ Offline
                            JKnott @stephenw10
                            last edited by

                            @stephenw10

                            For me, just unplugging and reconnecting the WAN cable was enough to cause the change. The last time my prefix changed was almost 2 years ago, when there was a problem with the CMTS at my ISP.

                            PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                            i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                            UniFi AC-Lite access point

                            I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

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