In this tutorial, we will show you how to install NetworkManager on AlmaLinux 8. For those of you who didn’t know, NetworkManager is a network management daemon that simplifies the process of configuring and managing network connections on Linux systems. It provides a user-friendly interface and automates tasks such as connecting to wired and wireless networks, handling VPN connections, and managing network devices. NetworkManager is designed to make network setup and management more accessible to users, especially in desktop environments.
By default, AlmaLinux 8 comes with NetworkManager installed and enabled, streamlining the process of connecting to networks and managing network settings. It automatically detects and configures network devices, obtains IP addresses via DHCP, and saves connection profiles for easy access. NetworkManager is particularly useful for laptop users who frequently switch between different networks.
This article assumes you have at least basic knowledge of Linux, know how to use the shell, and most importantly, you host your site on your own VPS. The installation is quite simple and assumes you are running in the root account, if not you may need to add ‘sudo‘ to the commands to get root privileges. I will show you the step-by-step turn-off of the NetworkManager on an AlmaLinux 8. You can follow the same instructions for Rocky Linux.
Prerequisites
- A server running one of the following operating systems: AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux.
- It’s recommended that you use a fresh OS install to prevent any potential issues.
- SSH access to the server (or just open Terminal if you’re on a desktop).
- An active internet connection. You’ll need an internet connection to download the necessary packages and dependencies for NetworkManager.
- You will need root access or sudo privileges to execute the commands required for disabling NetworkManager and configuring the network manually.
Disable NetworkManager on AlmaLinux 8
Step 1. First, let’s start by ensuring your system is up-to-date.
sudo dnf update sudo dnf install epel-release sudo dnf install network-scripts
Step 2. Disable NetworkManager on AlmaLinux 8.
To disable the NetworkManager service in AlmaLinux 8 or CentOS 8, run the following command below:
sudo systemctl stop NetworkManager
This command will immediately stop the NetworkManager service, preventing it from managing network connections.
Confirm the status of the NetworkManager:
sudo systemctl status NetworkManager
Next, we add NM_Controlled=no to the interface config file:
nano /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-<interface>
Replace with the interface name from ifconfig -a (or) ipaddr, for example:
nano /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-ens2
Add the following line:
NM_CONTROLLED="no"
After configuring the network interfaces manually, you need to enable and start the network service to apply the changes. Run the following commands:
sudo systemctl restart network sudo systemctl enable network
Step 3. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Despite following the steps carefully, you may encounter some issues after disabling NetworkManager. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:
- No Network Connectivity: If you experience a lack of network connectivity after disabling NetworkManager, double-check your manual network configuration files. Ensure that the IP addresses, subnet masks, gateways, and DNS servers are correctly specified. Also, verify that the network cables are securely connected and the network devices are powered on.
- Misconfigured Interfaces: If you have misconfigured network interfaces, you may experience intermittent connectivity or no connectivity at all. Review your configuration files and ensure that the settings match your network requirements. Pay attention to typos, incorrect IP addresses, or missing configuration options.
- Firewall Blocking Connections: If you have a firewall enabled on your AlmaLinux 8 system, it may be blocking network connections. Temporarily disable the firewall using the command
sudo systemctl stop firewalldand check if the connectivity issues persist. If the problem is resolved, you need to configure your firewall rules to allow the necessary network traffic. - Network Service Not Starting: If the network service fails to start after enabling it, check the system logs for any error messages. Use the command
sudo journalctl -u networkto view the logs specific to the network service. Look for any indications of misconfiguration or conflicts that may prevent the service from starting correctly.
Congratulations! You have successfully disabled NetworkManager. Thanks for using this tutorial to turn off the NetworkManager on your AlmaLinux 8 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official AlmaLinux website.
