The nmcli command is a powerful tool for managing and configuring network connections on Linux systems. This command-line tool can be used to create, modify, and delete network connections, and it offers a wealth of options and features for network administrators and users. In this article, we will take a closer look at the nmcli command and some of its many features and capabilities.
Creating Network Connections with nmcli
One of the primary uses of the nmcli command is to create new network connections. Whether you are setting up a new Ethernet connection, a Wi-Fi connection, or a VPN connection, nmcli can help you get it done. The process of creating a new network connection with nmcli involves several steps, including specifying the type of connection, the connection name, and any necessary configuration options.
For example, let’s say you want to create a new Ethernet connection named “eth0”. To do this, you would run the following command:
nmcli connection add type ethernet con-name eth0
This command creates a new Ethernet connection with the name “eth0”. At this point, the connection is not yet active, and you will need to configure additional options before it can be used. To view the available options for your new connection, you can run the following command:
nmcli connection show eth0
This will display all of the available options for the “eth0” connection, including things like IP addresses, DNS servers, and other settings. To configure these options, you can use the “edit” command, like so:
nmcli connection edit eth0
This will open a text editor, allowing you to enter the desired settings for your connection. When you are finished, save the file and exit the editor. Your new connection should now be fully configured and ready to use.
Modifying Existing Network Connections with nmcli
In addition to creating new network connections, the nmcli command can also be used to modify existing connections. This is useful if you need to change the settings or configuration of a connection, or if you want to add new options or features to an existing connection.
To modify an existing connection with nmcli, you will use the same “edit” command that you used when creating a new connection. For example, to modify the “eth0” connection that we created earlier, you would run the following command:
nmcli connection edit eth0
This will open the connection file for editing, allowing you to make any desired changes. When you are finished, save the file and exit the editor, and the changes you made will be automatically applied to the connection.
Deleting Network Connections with nmcli
Finally, the nmcli command can also be used to delete network connections that are no longer needed. This is useful for cleaning up old connections that are no longer in use, or for removing connections that were created by mistake.
To delete a network connection with nmcli, you will use the “delete” command, followed by the name of the connection that you want to delete. For example, to delete the “eth0” connection that we created earlier, you would run the following command:
nmcli connection delete eth0
This will delete the “eth0” connection and all of its associated settings and configurations. Be careful when using the delete command, as there is no way to recover a connection once it has been deleted.
Conclusion
The nmcli command is a versatile and powerful tool for managing network connections on Linux systems. With its many options and features, nmcli makes it easy to create, modify, and delete network connections, and it is an essential tool for network administrators and users. Whether you are setting up a new connection, making changes to an existing connection, or cleaning up old connections, nmcli is the tool you need to get the job done. Whether you are an experienced network administrator or just starting out with Linux, nmcli is a tool that you should become familiar with, as it will make your life much easier when it comes to managing your network connections.
