NetworkManager tool in Linux

NetworkManager is a utility in Linux that simplifies the management of network connections and devices. It provides both command-line and graphical interfaces for configuring and controlling network settings. Two of the key tools associated with NetworkManager are nmtui and nmcli.

1. NetworkManager (nmcli):

• nmcli Overview:
  • nmcli is the command-line client for NetworkManager, offering a powerful and flexible way to manage network connections in a text-based environment.
• Features:
  • Connection Management: nmcli allows users to create, edit, activate, and deactivate network connections, including wired, wireless, and virtual connections.
  • Device Status: Users can check the status and details of network devices, such as their IP addresses, MAC addresses, and connection profiles.
  • Profile Management: nmcli enables users to manage connection profiles, modify settings, and prioritize connections.
• Usage Examples:
  • Displaying all available connections:
    • nmcli connection show
  • Activating a specific connection:
    • nmcli connection up ConnectionName
  • Displaying details of a specific device:
    • nmcli device show DeviceName

2. NetworkManager TUI (nmtui):

• nmtui Overview:
  • nmtui stands for NetworkManager Text User Interface. It is a user-friendly, console-based interface that provides a simple and interactive way to manage network connections.
• Features:
  • Intuitive Menu System: nmtui presents a menu-driven interface that allows users to navigate through various options to configure and control network settings.
  • Connection Management: Users can easily create, edit, activate, and deactivate network connections using the interactive menus.
  • Device Configuration: nmtui provides options to configure settings for specific network devices, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
• Usage Examples:
  • Launching the nmtui interface:
    • nmtui
  • Navigating through the menus to configure a new connection or modify an existing one.
  • Activating or deactivating a connection using the on-screen options.

3. Advantages of NetworkManager, nmtui, and nmcli:

• User-Friendly Interfaces: Both nmtui and nmcli provide interfaces that cater to users with different preferences – interactive and menu-driven (nmtui) or command-line and scriptable (nmcli).
• Versatility: NetworkManager supports a wide range of connection types and devices, making it suitable for various networking scenarios.
• Consistency: nmtui and nmcli provide consistent interfaces across different Linux distributions, promoting a standardized approach to network management.
• Scripting and Automation: nmcli allows users to automate network-related tasks by scripting commands, making it a powerful tool for system administrators and advanced users.