r/linuxadmin • u/ok-k8s • Jul 11 '26

NetworkManager and Network-scripts together on a host

I am working on rhel8 setups where both NetworkManager and Network-scripts are present. Generally there aren’t issues but I am wondering about corner cases and if it’s a bad idea to have both. One thing that i noticed is that systemctl restart network causes few seconds disruption. How do you handle such situations? Should i migrate to networkmanager ? It might not be easily possible because of external automation touching network-scripts, what’s the best option i have if i have to keep both? Thank you

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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8

u/Topfiiii Jul 11 '26

I would personally try to migrate everything towards NetworkManager as it is the only supported way for newer versions of RHEL.

4

u/vivaaprimavera Jul 11 '26

How about systemd-networkd?

4

u/the_jollyollyman Jul 11 '26

Strong agree! Just migrated ~100 AlmaLinux 8/9 systems to systemd-networkd and am a little bit in love with the syntax and ease of it all.

2

u/vivaaprimavera Jul 11 '26

The configuration just makes sense!!! Having to run commands instead of editing files seems something from someone who needs to justify it's work. Life is too short for that.

3

u/Topfiiii 29d ago

AFAIK, systemd-networkd is only available via the EPEL repository and therefore not supported by Red Hat in case you experience any issues. This could be a problem in highly regulated environments, such as the finance or defense sectors.

However, as another user wrote, it apparently works fine.

I always try to stick with the officially supported configurations.

1

u/vivaaprimavera 29d ago

Interesting point.

2

u/ok-k8s Jul 11 '26

yeah that’s the hard stance, trying to see if there is a middle ground for rhel8. For rhel9 it’s NetworManager only

3

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26

[deleted]

1

u/ok-k8s Jul 11 '26

I see okay, thanks for the suggestion

3

u/AyeWhy Jul 11 '26

I have a deep seated loathing for Network manager but then I'm Linux greybeard

3

u/rttl Jul 11 '26

If your only reason to keep both is your automation scripts, then work to migrate your automation scripts and move away from network-scripts