LinuxCommandLibrary

nmtui

Configure network connections using a text interface

TLDR

Open the user interface

$ nmtui
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List available connections, with the option to activate or deactivate them
$ nmtui connect
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Connect to a given network
$ nmtui connect [name|uuid|device|SSID]
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Edit/Add/Delete a given network
$ nmtui edit [name|id]
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Set the system hostname
$ nmtui hostname
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SYNOPSIS

nmtui

PARAMETERS

--help
    Display help text and exit.

--version
    Display the version number and exit.

--edit
    Directly open the connection editor.

--connect
    Directly open the activate a connection menu.

--hostname
    Directly open the set system hostname menu.

DESCRIPTION

nmtui is a curses-based text user interface (TUI) for managing NetworkManager. It provides a convenient way to configure network connections, activate or deactivate network interfaces, and set up hostnames directly from the terminal. It's particularly useful on systems without a graphical environment, such as servers or systems accessed via SSH. nmtui presents a menu-driven interface, allowing users to easily navigate and modify network settings. Changes made using nmtui are persistent and are applied using NetworkManager. This tool simplifies common network tasks such as configuring Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and VPN connections without needing to manually edit configuration files or use command-line tools like nmcli.

CAVEATS

nmtui requires NetworkManager to be installed and running. It needs terminal access. Using it in environments with limited terminal capabilities may result in unexpected behavior.

KEY BINDINGS

The nmtui interface is navigated using the keyboard. Arrow keys move the cursor, Enter selects an option, Spacebar toggles checkboxes, and Tab cycles through options. Esc key is generally used to exit or cancel.

CONFIGURATION FILES

nmtui uses the same configuration files as NetworkManager, typically stored in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/. Editing these files directly is not recommended while NetworkManager or nmtui is running, as it may lead to conflicts and data loss.
Changes made with nmtui are written to these files.

HISTORY

nmtui was developed as part of the NetworkManager project to provide a more user-friendly interface for managing network connections in environments where a graphical user interface is not available. Its purpose is to simplify common networking tasks for administrators and users, especially on server systems.

SEE ALSO

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