Managing Network Connections With Networkmanager - Novell LINUX ENTERPRISE SERVER 10 - INSTALLATION AND ADMINISTRATION 04-08-2006 Installation Manual

31.5 Managing Network Connections
with NetworkManager
NetworkManager is the ideal solution for a mobile workstation. With NetworkManager,
you do not need to worry about configuring network interfaces and switching between
networks when you are moving. NetworkManager can automatically connect to known
WLAN networks. If you have two or more connection possibilities, it can connect to
the faster one.
NOTE: NetworkManager and SCPM
Do not use NetworkManager together with SCPM when SCPM profiles also
change network settings. If you want to use SCPM and NetworkManager at the
same time, disable the network resource in SCPM configuration.
NetworkManager is not a suitable solution in the following cases:
• You want to use more than one provider for dial-up for one interface.
• Your computer is a router for your network.
• Your computer provides network services for other computers in your network, for
example, it is a DHCP or DNS server.
NOTE: NetworkManager and Network Devices Configured with YaST
If you switch your system from traditional configuration with YaST to Network-
Manager controlled, NetworkManager adopts configurations from YaST.
31.5.1 Controlling NetworkManager
To start NetworkManager, enable NetworkManager in the YaST module of your network
device. Because NetworkManager does not need standard network configuration, the
YaST configuration becomes inactive. NetworkManager automatically chooses the
best network available, but it can automatically connect only to a known network. For
the first connection to a network, use the NetworkManager applet. If the network requires
Basic Networking 597