Managing Network Connections with NetworkManager

Contents

10.1. Use Cases for NetworkManager
10.2. Enabling NetworkManager
10.3. NetworkManager and VPN
10.4. Using KNetworkManager
10.5. Using GNOME NetworkManager Applet
10.6. NetworkManager and Security
10.7. Troubleshooting
10.8. For More Information

NetworkManager is the ideal solution for a mobile workstation. With NetworkManager, you do not need to worry about configuring network interfaces and switching between wired or wireless networks when you are moving. NetworkManager can automatically connect to known wireless networks. It can also manage several network connections in parallel, the fastest connection is then used as default. You can also switch between available networks manually and manage your network connection using an applet in the system tray.

On laptop computers, NetworkManager is active by default. However it can be at any time activated or deactivated using YaST as described in Section 10.2, “Enabling NetworkManager”.

Use Cases for NetworkManager

NetworkManager provides a sophisticated and intuitive user interface which enables users easily to switch their network environment. However, NetworkManager is not a suitable solution in the following cases:

  • Your computer provides network services for other computers in your network, for example, it is a DHCP or DNS server.

  • Your computer is a Xen server or your system is a virtual system inside Xen.

  • You want to use SCPM for network configuration management. To use SCPM and NetworkManager at the same time, disable the network resource in SCPM configuration.