The Linux Network Manager

a) Description

Network Manager is the standard Linux service for managing network connections (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, VPN, mobile broadband). It runs in the background, connects automatically, and remembers your saved networks. Most desktop distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Arch with MATE/GNOME/KDE) use it by default.

b) Tasks you can do with Network Manager

Check status

• Show overall network status
• List interfaces and their state
• List saved connections

Wi-Fi

• Scan for available networks
• Connect to a network
• Turn Wi-Fi on or off
• Forget a saved network

Connections

• Activate a saved connection
• Deactivate a connection
• Rename a connection
• Start a connection automatically at boot

IP configuration

• Set a static IP
• Set DNS servers
• Return to automatic (DHCP)
• Apply changes

Service management

• Check the service status
• Restart the service
• Enable the service at boot

Graphical and text interfaces

• Use the full graphical connection editor
• Show the network icon in the panel
• Use the text menu (works over SSH)