Failed to run: ip link set dev veth7e6c37ce address 11:16:3e:59:b3:71: RTNETLINK answers: Cannot assign requested address

 Failed to run: ip link set dev veth7e6c37ce address 11:16:3e:59:b3:71: RTNETLINK answers: Cannot assign requested address

I am having issues changing the MAC address of containers, even when setting what seem to be a valid MAC addreses but the container no longer starts.

For example, take the mac address generated by LXD, and changing the prefix, e.g. 00:16:3e:69:fe:8b01:16:3e:69:fe:8b and the container can longer being started.

Mac address seems valid but it fails, why is this?

That MAC address actually is invalid. Generating MAC addresses isn’t as simple as picking a random number. There are reserved bits which control whether they are unicast or multicast and whether they are global or local.

The address you’re showing is a global multicast address whereas you need a global unicast address for this use.

Thank you, I was not aware of that.