Networking

Networking

MiniOS uses NetworkManager for normal wired and Wi-Fi networking. MiniOS does not replace its connection model with a separate network configuration system.

For ordinary use, open the network icon in the desktop panel. The standard NetworkManager tools are also available:

nmtui
nmcli

Use these tools for connecting to Wi-Fi, switching networks, configuring DHCP or static addresses, DNS, VPN connections, and other normal runtime networking. For their full behavior, use the NetworkManager documentation and manual pages.

In a persistent MiniOS session, NetworkManager connection profiles are saved as part of that session. In Start without saving, changes disappear at shutdown.

Network preconfiguration

MiniOS-specific network settings are primarily preconfiguration. They are useful when an image, installer, or unattended deployment should start with a known wired configuration before the user opens NetworkManager.

The MiniOS live-config network component supports wired IPv4 preconfiguration. It does not preconfigure Wi-Fi.

A static example in config.conf is:

LIVE_NETWORK_METHOD="static"
LIVE_NETWORK_INTERFACE="enp1s0"
LIVE_NETWORK_ADDRESS="192.0.2.10"
LIVE_NETWORK_PREFIX="24"
LIVE_NETWORK_GATEWAY="192.0.2.1"
LIVE_NETWORK_DNS="1.1.1.1,9.9.9.9"
LIVE_NETWORK_BACKEND="auto"

LIVE_NETWORK_METHOD accepts dhcp, static, or off. Unset and dhcp preserve the image's existing network setup rather than replacing normal NetworkManager behavior. static writes a wired static IPv4 configuration; off prepares the selected wired interface not to connect automatically. With LIVE_NETWORK_BACKEND="auto", MiniOS prefers NetworkManager and falls back to ifupdown when necessary. If no interface is specified, preconfiguration is applied only when exactly one eligible wired interface can be identified.

See Configuration file for where these settings are stored and live-config for the complete variable and component reference.

When preconfiguration applies

The network component is a one-time live-config setup step. After it has successfully run in a persistent session, ordinary network changes should be made with NetworkManager rather than by repeatedly editing the preconfiguration.

If you intentionally need to apply changed MiniOS network preconfiguration to the same persistent session, remove its completion stamp and reboot:

sudo rm -f /var/lib/live/config/network

Do this only when you actually want live-config to generate the wired policy again. Changing normal Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections does not require it.

Installer preconfiguration

The MiniOS Installer network step also performs preconfiguration for the target system. It supports wired DHCP or static IPv4 settings. Wi-Fi is left to NetworkManager after the installed system starts.

Early-boot networking is different

NetworkManager configures the running MiniOS system. Networking used by the initramfs to obtain MiniOS itself is a separate mechanism.

The ip= boot parameter, PXE downloads, and from=http://... therefore do not create NetworkManager profiles and should not be used as a way to configure the normal desktop network. See Network boot.

Troubleshooting

For an ordinary connection problem, start with NetworkManager itself:

nmcli device status
nmcli connection show --active

Use the desktop connection editor, nmtui, or standard NetworkManager logs and documentation for normal Wi-Fi, DHCP, DNS, VPN, or Ethernet problems.

MiniOS-specific diagnostics are relevant when a problem concerns network preconfiguration or network boot. The live-config log is /var/log/live/config.log; early network-boot problems are covered by the Network boot guide.

Related documentation

• Configuration file
• live-config
• Network boot
• Session management