The differences between NMCLI and NMTUI

Differences between nmcli and nmtui

Learn about the differences between NMCLI and NMTUI, two powerful tools for managing network connections on Linux systems, and discover which one is best suited for your needs.

Table of Contents

Introduction

When it comes to managing network connections on Linux systems, NetworkManager is a widely used service. NetworkManager provides various tools for managing network connections, including nmcli and nmtui. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between these two tools, their features, and how they can be used.

What is NMCLI?

NMCLI (NetworkManager Command Line Interface) is a command-line tool used for controlling NetworkManager. It is a simple and powerful tool that allows you to configure and manage network connections from the terminal. NMCLI is based on the D-Bus interface, which allows you to interact with NetworkManager to control networking from the command line.

				
					$ nmcli con show
NAME  UUID                                  TYPE      DEVICE 
eth0  79a63013-779d-4d10-9b8a-05d30ad61101  ethernet  enp1s0 
lo    ce0d78b3-809c-4a3d-94ec-96f3f6c2c5f0  loopback  lo     
				
			

This output (above) shows a list of existing network connections. Additionally, observe the detailed output (below) presented when the same command is executed on a specific network interface:

				
					$ nmcli con show eth0
connection.id:                          eth0
connection.uuid:                        79a63013-779d-4d10-9b8a-05d30ad61101
connection.stable-id:                   --
connection.type:                        802-3-ethernet
connection.interface-name:              enp1s0
connection.autoconnect:                 yes
connection.autoconnect-priority:        0
connection.autoconnect-retries:         -1 (default)
connection.multi-connect:               0 (default)
connection.auth-retries:                -1
connection.timestamp:                   1677016845
connection.read-only:                   no
connection.permissions:                 --
connection.zone:                        --
connection.master:                      --
connection.slave-type:                  --

				
			

What is NMTUI?

NMTUI (NetworkManager Text User Interface) is a simple console-based interface for NetworkManager. It allows you to configure and manage network connections using a text-based menu system. NMTUI is an easy-to-use tool that is particularly useful for those who prefer to work in a text-based environment.

Differences between nmcli and nmtui

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NMCLI and NMTUI: What’s The Difference?

The table chart (below) provides a comparative overview of the features and differences between NMCLI and NMTUI, highlighting aspects such as interface type, user-friendliness, network profile management, ease of use, flexibility, scripting capabilities, support for remote connections, and the range of network devices managed by each tool.

FeatureNMCLINMTUI
InterfaceCommand-line interfaceText-based menu system
User-friendlyLess intuitiveMore intuitive
Network ProfileManage network profilesEdit existing profiles
Ease of UseComplex setupsSimple setups
Network SetupConfigure complex networksGuided network setup
FlexibilityOffers greater flexibilityLess flexible
ScriptingSuitable for scriptingLess scripting-friendly
Remote ConnectionsManage remote connectionsLimited to local only
Network DevicesManage wide range of devicesLimited to wired/wireless

Conclusion

Both NMCLI and NMTUI are useful tools for managing network connections on Linux systems. While NMCLI is more flexible and powerful, NMTUI is easier to use and more user-friendly. Depending on your needs and experience level, you may prefer one tool over the other. Ultimately, the choice between NMCLI and NMTUI comes down to personal preference and the complexity of the network setup you are managing.

By understanding the differences between these two tools, you can choose the right one for your needs and manage your network connections with ease. Was this article helpful to you? If so, leave us a comment below and share!

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