NetworkManager
NetworkManager is a Linux system service and daemon that manages network connections and devices, providing a high-level interface for configuring wired, wireless, mobile broadband, and VPN connections. It simplifies network management by handling automatic connection setup, device detection, and network configuration through D-Bus APIs and command-line or GUI tools. It is widely used in desktop and server Linux distributions to maintain network connectivity and manage network profiles.
Developers should learn NetworkManager when working on Linux-based systems that require dynamic network configuration, such as laptops, desktops, or servers with multiple network interfaces. It is essential for automating network setup in DevOps environments, managing VPNs for secure connections, and ensuring reliable connectivity in applications that depend on network services. Use cases include configuring Wi-Fi on embedded devices, setting up network bonds in servers, and integrating with container orchestration tools like Kubernetes for network management.