So I just started tipping my toes in Home Assistant Eco System and had a few hiccups along the way. Just want to document my learning for folks.
Day 3
My home assistant running on CPI and Ubuntu and Virtualbox becomes unavailable on the network after some time.
Gemini
This is a classic “VirtualBox on Linux” headache. When Home Assistant (HA) drops off the network after a period of time, it’s usually because the host (Ubuntu) is trying to save power, the DHCP lease isn’t renewing correctly, or the VirtualBox network adapter is “sleeping.”
Since your host is Ubuntu, here is the checklist to stop these dropouts:
1. Disable Host Network Power Management
Ubuntu’s default power settings can be aggressive. If the OS thinks the network interface is “idle” (even if the VM is using it), it might throttle or suspend it.
- Turn off WiFi/Ethernet Power Save: Open a terminal on your Ubuntu host and run:
sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.confChangewifi.powersave = 3towifi.powersave = 2. - General Power Settings: Ensure your Ubuntu host is set to “High Performance” or “Never Sleep” in the System Settings.
2. Check VirtualBox Adapter Settings
The most stable configuration for Home Assistant is Bridged Networking.
- Promiscuous Mode: In the VM settings under Network > Advanced, change “Promiscuous Mode” to Allow All. This ensures the VM can “see” all traffic meant for its unique MAC address.