NetworkManager
Encyclopedia
Network Manager is a software utility aimed at simplifying the use of computer network
s on Linux
-based and other Unix-like
operating system
s.
initiated a NetworkManager project in 2004 with the goal of enabling Linux users to deal more easily with modern networking needs, particularly wireless networking
. NetworkManager takes an opportunistic approach to network selection, attempting to use the best available connection as outages occur, or as the user roams between wireless networks. It prefers Ethernet
connections over “known” wireless networks, which are preferred over wireless networks with SSID
s to which the user has never connected. The user is prompted for WEP
or WPA
keys as needed.
The NetworkManager project was among the first major Linux desktop components to utilize D-Bus
and HAL
extensively. Since June 2009, however, NetworkManager no longer depends on HAL.
NetworkManager has two components:
Both components are intended by the developers to be reasonably portable, and the applet is available to desktop environment
s which implement the Freedesktop.org
System Tray Protocol, including GNOME
, KDE Plasma Workspaces, Enlightenment (window manager)
and Xfce
. As the components communicate via D-Bus, applications can be written to be “link
-aware”, or to replace the provided applet entirely. One example is KNetworkManager, a KDE frontend to NetworkManager developed by Novell
for SUSE Linux.
it became available in NetworkManager version 0.7.0. Together with the package mobile-broadband-provider-info the connection is easily configured.
widget frontend.
KNetworkManager: the K Desktop Environment 3 frontend developed by Novell.
nm-applet: is the GNOME
applet
for NetworkManager.
nmcli: built-in command line interface (added in 2010 e.g. in Fedora
13 Alpha, which was released in late May 2010).
cnetworkmanager: command line interface for NetworkManager.
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
s on Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
-based and other Unix-like
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s.
Overview
Red HatRed Hat
Red Hat, Inc. is an S&P 500 company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. Founded in 1993, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina with satellite offices worldwide....
initiated a NetworkManager project in 2004 with the goal of enabling Linux users to deal more easily with modern networking needs, particularly wireless networking
Wireless LAN
A wireless local area network links two or more devices using some wireless distribution method , and usually providing a connection through an access point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local coverage area and still be connected to the network...
. NetworkManager takes an opportunistic approach to network selection, attempting to use the best available connection as outages occur, or as the user roams between wireless networks. It prefers Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
connections over “known” wireless networks, which are preferred over wireless networks with SSID
Service set identifier
A service set is all the devices associated with a local or enterprise IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network .-Service set identifier :...
s to which the user has never connected. The user is prompted for WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy
Wired Equivalent Privacy is a weak security algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Introduced as part of the original 802.11 standard ratified in September 1999, its intention was to provide data confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network...
or WPA
Wi-Fi Protected Access
Wi-Fi Protected Access and Wi-Fi Protected Access II are two security protocols and security certification programs developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless computer networks...
keys as needed.
The NetworkManager project was among the first major Linux desktop components to utilize D-Bus
D-Bus
In computing, D-Bus is a simple inter-process communication open-source system for software applications to communicate with one another. Heavily influenced by KDE2–3's DCOP system, D-Bus has replaced DCOP in the KDE 4 release. An implementation of D-Bus supports most POSIX operating...
and HAL
HAL (software)
HAL was a software project providing a hardware abstraction layer for Unix-like computer systems.HAL is now deprecated on GNU/Linux systems, with functionality being merged into udev as of 2008–2010...
extensively. Since June 2009, however, NetworkManager no longer depends on HAL.
NetworkManager has two components:
- a serviceDaemon (computer software)In Unix and other multitasking computer operating systems, a daemon is a computer program that runs as a background process, rather than being under the direct control of an interactive user...
which manages connections and reports network changes - a graphicalGraphical user interfaceIn computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
desktop appletAppletIn computing, an applet is any small application that performs one specific task that runs within the scope of a larger program, often as a plug-in. An applet typically also refers to Java applets, i.e., programs written in the Java programming language that are included in a web page...
which allows the user to manipulate network connections. The nmcli applet provides similar functionality on the command line.
Both components are intended by the developers to be reasonably portable, and the applet is available to desktop environment
Desktop environment
In graphical computing, a desktop environment commonly refers to a style of graphical user interface derived from the desktop metaphor that is seen on most modern personal computers. These GUIs help the user in easily accessing, configuring, and modifying many important and frequently accessed...
s which implement the Freedesktop.org
Freedesktop.org
freedesktop.org is a project to work on interoperability and shared base technology for free software desktop environments for the X Window System on Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It was founded by Havoc Pennington from Red Hat in March 2000.The organisation focuses on the user....
System Tray Protocol, including GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
, KDE Plasma Workspaces, Enlightenment (window manager)
Enlightenment (window manager)
Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a stacking window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE...
and Xfce
Xfce
Xfce is a free software desktop environment for Unix and other Unix-like platforms, such as Linux, Solaris, and BSD – though recent compatibility issues have arisen with regard to BSD Unix platforms...
. As the components communicate via D-Bus, applications can be written to be “link
Data link
In telecommunication a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving information. It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver and the interconnecting data telecommunication circuit...
-aware”, or to replace the provided applet entirely. One example is KNetworkManager, a KDE frontend to NetworkManager developed by Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
for SUSE Linux.
Mobile broadband configuration assistant
Antti Kaijanmäki announced the development of a mobile broadband configuration assistant for NetworkManager in April 2008it became available in NetworkManager version 0.7.0. Together with the package mobile-broadband-provider-info the connection is easily configured.
User interfaces
NetworkManagement: Network Manager back-end for KDE SC 4, provides a plasmaPlasma (KDE)
Plasma Workspaces is the umbrella term for all graphical environments provided by KDE.Three Plasma sub-projects are currently being developed: Plasma Desktop for traditional desktop PCs and notebooks, Plasma Netbook for netbooks, and Plasma Active for Tablet PCs, Nokia N900 style smartphones and...
widget frontend.
KNetworkManager: the K Desktop Environment 3 frontend developed by Novell.
nm-applet: is the GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
applet
Applet
In computing, an applet is any small application that performs one specific task that runs within the scope of a larger program, often as a plug-in. An applet typically also refers to Java applets, i.e., programs written in the Java programming language that are included in a web page...
for NetworkManager.
nmcli: built-in command line interface (added in 2010 e.g. in Fedora
Fedora (operating system)
Fedora is a RPM-based, general purpose collection of software, including an operating system based on the Linux kernel, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat...
13 Alpha, which was released in late May 2010).
cnetworkmanager: command line interface for NetworkManager.
See also
- Wireless tools for LinuxWireless tools for LinuxWireless tools for Linux is a package of Linux commands intended to support and facilitate the configuration of wireless devices using the Linux Wireless Extension...
for command-line interface - BlueZ
- GNOME Keyring Manager
- UMTSMON
- usbserial
- WicdWicd (Linux Network Manager)Wicd, which stands for Wireless Interface Connection Daemon, is an open source software utility to manage both wireless and wired networks for Linux. The project started in late 2006 with the creation of Connection Manager, which eventually became Wicd...
Network Manager - wvdialWvdialWvDial is a utility that helps in making modem-based connections to the Internet that is included in some important Linux distributions. WvDial is a Point-to-Point Protocol dialer: it dials a modem and starts pppd in order to connect to the Internet....