Linux NetworkManager Tools and Utilities
NetworkManager offers five utilities for configuring network devices and connections: nmcli, nmtui, control-center, nm-connection-editor, and network connection icon.
The following table compares all five tools.
| Utility | Interface | Availability | Operation | Supported features |
| nmcli | CLI | On all platforms | Complex | All |
| nmtui | Text-based tool | CLI/Desktop | Hard | Most |
| nm-connection-editor | GUI | only on Desktop | Easy | Most |
| control-center | GUI | only on Desktop | Easy | Some |
| network connection icon | GUI | only on Desktop | Easy | Basic |
The nmcli utility
This utility provides a command line interface for NetworkManager. It uses the nmcli command to control and configure all aspects of network devices and connections. The nmcli command does not need a GUI environment to run. Generally, administrators do not install a GUI environment on Linux servers. If GUI is not installed, you can use the nmcli command to manage and configure all network devices and their connections.
The nmtui utility
The nmtui utility provides a curses-based text user interface for NetworkManager. If you find working with the command line difficult, you can use this utility to configure network devices.
The control-center
The GNOME shell provides this utility for NetworkManager. It is available only for desktop users and is known as the Network Settings tool. It does not include advanced features, but you can use it to control and manage the essential functions of NetworkManager.
The nm-connection-editor
This utility provides a graphical user interface for NetworkManager. It includes all the essential features of NetworkManager. It has the same functionality as the nmtui tool. You can use it to add, remove, and modify network connections.
The network connection icon
The GNOME shell provides this utility. You can use it to view the current state of the network device and the connection you are currently using. You can also use it to perform some essential tasks such as starting and stopping the network device that is currently in use.
This tutorial is part of the tutorial series Managing Basic Networking (RHCSA / RHCE) Study Guide. Other parts of this series are the following.
Chapter 01 Managing Basic Networking RHCSA Exam
Chapter 02 Predictable Consistent Network Device Naming
Chapter 03 Linux ip Address Command Usages and Examples
Chapter 04 Linux ip Command Cheat Sheet
Chapter 05 The ip Command v/s the ifconfig Command
Chapter 06 Understanding Linux Network Manager Fundamental
Chapter 07 Managing Linux NetworkManager
Chapter 08 Linux NetworkManager Tools and Utilities
Chapter 09 The nmcli Command on Linux Examples and Usages
Chapter 10 The nmtui Command and Utility on Linux
Chapter 11 The nm-connection-editor Command on Linux
Chapter 12 How to Configure IP Address in Linux
Chapter 13 How to Configure Multiple IP Addresses on Linux
Chapter 14 How to Configure IPv6 on Linux
Chapter 15 Basic Linux Commands for Network Testing
Chapter 16 Network Configuration Files in Linux Explained
Chapter 17 The /etc/hosts, /etc/resolv.conf, and /etc/nsswitch.conf Files
Chapter 18 How to Change the Hostname on Linux
Conclusion
NetworkManager is the default utility for Linux network management. It includes five tools for managing interfaces and their connections: nmcli, nmtui, control-center, nm-connection-editor, and network connection. In this tutorial, we discussed the differences between these tools and learned how to start them.
By ComputerNetworkingNotes Updated on 2025-11-10