Keeping TrueNAS LAN live through internet/router issues

TrueNAS General
1

Whenever I have generic internet connectivity issues (i.e. can’t connect to any website) I am always slightly surprised/disappointed that my TrueNAS server also loses connectivity and I can’t use the webUI/any services (e.g. syncthing UI).

Since my TrueNAS is completely on LAN, I feel it should be possible to have a more resiliant set up that allows me to continue using TrueNAS on LAN even if I can’t access the internet. I would like my local network to be completely independent of the internet.

Is something like this possible? I’m not a network engineer so I can’t gauge the feasibility. If there are any resources I could look into for this that would be appreciated.

2

Except for updates, alerts, remote access via VPN, and certain apps, TrueNAS does not require internet connectivity. It’s designed as a local network appliance.

What devices are on your network? Do you have a combo router/modem that some ISPs lease to their customers?

3

TN does not need an Internet connection to work.

Apps/catalog updates and TN updates would fail of course, but you can still access the GUI, ssh, SMB, etc.

It would help if you give better details, errors and explain “CAN’T use GUI/services”.
(hands tied suddenly?).

4

I will keep this in mind the next time it happens.

I do recall losing access to truenas when I last lost my internet connection but I haven’t experienced it recently.

5

Regarding devices just standard things like phones and laptops. About the router/modem I’ll have to look into that and try to find out. Thanks

6

@truenas-fan @winnielinnie

Funnily enough it happened again. Please see the picture below.

Not sure if it’s useful, but in general my consistent experience is “if I can’t connect to any websites, I won’t be able to ping truenas or load the local UI”.

I’m just wondering if this is the expected behaviour (sounds like it’s not?) and what avenues of investigation I might have (still need to confirm about the router/modem question @winnielinnie).

truenas_issue
truenas_issue1174×547 28.5 KB

7

There’s probably 2 different problems going on:

  1. Do you statically address your TrueNAS installation, or rely on DHCP?
  2. Do you have a fixed DNS reservation for your TrueNAS installation, or rely on dynamic DNS for your server to register its name?
8
  1. I’m using a static IP
  2. Sorry not sure what this means. Are you asking if I have manually mapped “truenas.local” to a particular IP? I don’t think I have. If I’m not understanding you then if you could perhaps send a link on the general topic (instead of having to write out a full explanation yourself) I’d appreciate that and check it out and get back to you
9

Can you access your TruNAS GUI with its IP address?

What is the model of your router? Is it a combo router/modem from your ISP?

10

To make sure I understand, you’re used to typing in “Truenas.local” to connect to your NAS, but when your internet has issues your ISP provided router fails to connect you locally?

If I’m understanding you correctly, could you instead try to use the TrueNAS system’s LAN IP to connect instead? For example if your TrueNAS system has an IP of “192.168.0.5”, try typing that into your browser of choice & see if you can get the GUI page.