NETCTL.PROFILE(5) ================= NAME ---- netctl.profile - Profile options SYNOPSIS -------- netctl.profile DESCRIPTION ----------- Profiles for netctl live under '/etc/netctl/' and are plain text files. The files consist of variable definitions following the bash shell syntax and are not expected to execute any code. It is good to omit as much quoting as possible. For a few WPA-related variables, special quoting rules (see below) apply. The name of the profile is the name of the file. Profile names must not contain newlines and should not end in '.action', '.conf', or '.service'. Whenever a profile is read, all executable scripts in '/etc/netctl/hooks/' and any executable script in '/etc/netctl/interfaces/' with the name of the interface for the profile are sourced. The name of the current profile is available via the 'Profile' variable in the environment of the sourced scripts. On starting or stopping a profile, the respective command is available via the 'Command' variable. Declarations in an interface script override declarations in a profile, which override declarations in hooks. For each connection type, there are example profile files in '/etc/netctl/examples/'. AVAILABLE CONNECTION TYPES -------------------------- +ethernet+:: For wired connections. +wireless+:: For wireless connections. This connection type requires *wpa_supplicant* to be available. +bond+:: For bonded interfaces. +bridge+:: For bridge interfaces. +dummy+:: For dummy interfaces. +ppp+:: For PPP connections (currently only PPPoE). +pppoe+:: For PPPoE connections. +mobile_ppp+:: For mobile broadband PPP connections that use a USB modem. +openvswitch+:: For Open vSwitch bridge interfaces. +tunnel+:: For tunnel interfaces. +tuntap+:: For TUN/TAP interfaces. +vlan+:: For VLANs on ethernet-like connections. +macvlan+:: For MACVLANs on ethernet-like connections. +wireguard+:: For WireGuard interfaces. GENERAL OPTIONS --------------- 'Description=':: A description of the profile. 'Connection=' [mandatory for all profiles]:: The connection type used by the profile. 'Interface=' [mandatory for all profiles]:: The name of the associated network interface. The interface name should not be quoted. 'BindsToInterfaces=()':: An array of physical network interfaces that this profile needs before it can be started. For `enabled' profiles, *systemd* will wait for the presence of the specified interfaces before starting a profile. If this variable is not specified, it defaults to the value of 'Interface='. 'MACAddress=':: Optional MAC address for newly created interfaces. When set to the name of an existing interface, the address of that interface is used. The connection types that create an interface and are able to set a MAC address are +bond+, +bridge+, +dummy+, +vlan+, and +macvlan+. 'After=()':: An array of profile names that should be started before this profile is started. This is only an ordering dependency and is not intended to be a list of profiles that this profile requires. The meaning is the same as 'After=' in *systemd.unit*(5). 'WaitOnline=':: Set to `++yes++' to consider the profile activated only when it is online. Defaults to `++no++'. 'ExecUpPost=':: A command that is executed after a connection is established. If the specified command returns anything other than 0 (success), *netctl* will abort and stop the profile. If the command should be allowed to fail, add ``|| true`' to the end of it. 'ExecDownPre=':: A command that is executed before a connection is brought down. Similar precautions should be taken as with 'ExecUpPost='. 'TimeoutUp':: Maximum time, in seconds, to wait for an interface to get up. Defaults to `++5++'. 'ForceConnect=':: Set to `++yes++' to force connecting even if the interface is up. Do not use this unless you know what you are doing. 'ExcludeAuto=':: Whether or not to exclude this profile from automatic profile selection. Defaults to `++no++' for wireless and DHCP enabled connections and to `++yes++' otherwise. 'NETCTL_DEBUG=':: Set to `++yes++' to generate debugging output. IP OPTIONS ---------- These options apply to all connections that set up an IP-enabled network. In particular, these connection types are +ethernet+, +wireless+, +bond+, +bridge+, +tunnel+, +tuntap+, and +vlan+. 'IP=' [mandatory for IPv4]:: One of `static', `dhcp', or `no', depending on the desired way of obtaining an address. 'IP6=' [mandatory for IPv6]:: One of `static', `stateless', `dhcp-noaddr', `dhcp', `no' or left out (empty) altogether. The difference between not specifying and setting to `no' is in the handling of __router advertisement__ packages, which is blocked by `no'. 'Address=()' [requires 'IP=static']:: An array of IP addresses suffixed with `++/++'. Leaving out brackets for arrays consisting of a single element is accepted in the Bash syntax. 'Gateway=' [requires 'IP=static']:: An IP routing gateway address. 'Routes=()':: An array of custom routes of the form + `**
** via ****'. 'Address6=()' [requires 'IP6=static' or 'IP6=stateless']:: An array of IPv6 addresses. Prefix length may be specified via `1234:bcd::11/64' syntax. It is possible to specify modifiers, in particular, `1234:bcd::11/64 nodad' disables Duplicate Address Detection for the address. 'Gateway6=' [requires 'IP6=static' or 'IP6=stateless']:: An IPv6 routing gateway address. 'Routes6=()':: An array of custom routes of the form + `**
** via ****'. 'DHCPClient=' [requires 'IP=dhcp']:: The name of the DHCP client to use. By default, *netctl* comes with support for `dhcpcd' and `dhclient'. Clients may accept additional options through client-specific variables. Command line options for *dhcpcd*(8) are read from 'DhcpcdOptions=' (defaults to `++-L++{empty}'). Command line options for *dhclient*(8) are read from 'DhclientOptions='. Defaults to `++dhcpcd++'. 'DHCP6Client=' [requires 'IP6=dhcp' or 'IP6=dhcp-noaddr']:: The name of the DHCPv6 client to use. By default, `dhcpcd' and `dhclient' are supported. Command line options for the IPv6 instance of *dhcpcd*(8) are read from 'DhcpcdOptions6='. Command line options for the IPv6 instance of *dhclient*(8) are read from 'DhclientOptions6='. Defaults to `++dhclient++'. 'DHCPReleaseOnStop=':: Set to `++yes++' to release the DHCP lease when the profile is stopped. 'IPCustom=()':: An array of argument lines to pass to `ip`. This can be used to achieve complicated configurations within the framework of *netctl*. 'Hostname=':: A transient hostname for the system. 'DNS=()':: An array of DNS nameservers. Simply specify the IP addresses of each of the DNS nameservers. 'DNSDomain=':: A `++domain++' line for '/etc/resolv.conf', passed to *resolvconf*(5). 'DNSSearch=':: A `++search++' line for '/etc/resolv.conf', passed to *resolvconf*(5). 'DNSOptions=()':: An array of `++options++' lines for '/etc/resolv.conf', passed to *resolvconf*(5). 'TimeoutDHCP=':: Maximum time, in seconds, to wait for DHCP to be successful. Defaults to `++30++'. 'TimeoutDAD=':: Maximum time, in seconds, to wait for IPv6's Duplicate Address Detection to succeed. Defaults to `++3++'. 'SkipDAD=':: Whether or not to bypass Duplicate Address Detection altogether. Defaults to `++no++'. OPTIONS FOR `ethernet' CONNECTIONS ---------------------------------- Next to the *ip options*, the following are understood for connections of the `ethernet' type: 'Auth8021X=':: Set to `++yes++' to use 802.1x authentication. 'WPAConfigFile=':: Path to a *wpa_supplicant* configuration file. Defaults to '/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf'. 'WPADriver=':: The *wpa_supplicant* driver to use for 802.1x authentication. Defaults to `++wired++'. 'TimeoutCarrier=':: Maximum time, in seconds, to wait for a carrier. Defaults to `++5++'. 'TimeoutWPA=':: Maximum time, in seconds, to wait for 802.1x authentication to succeed. Defaults to `++15++'. 'SkipNoCarrier=':: Whether or not the absence of a carrier (plugged-in cable) is acceptable. Defaults to `++no++'. 'Priority=':: Priority level of the profile. In case of automatic profile selection, profiles are tried in decreasing order of priority. Defaults to `++1++' in DHCP enabled profiles and to `++0++' otherwise. OPTIONS FOR `wireless' CONNECTIONS ---------------------------------- Next to the *ip options*, the following are understood for connections of the `wireless' type: 'Security=':: One of `none', `wep', `wpa', `wpa-configsection', or `wpa-config'. Defaults to `++none++'. 'ESSID=' [mandatory]:: The name of the network to connect to. Special quoting rules (see below) apply. 'AP=':: The BSSID (MAC address) of the access point to connect to. 'Key=':: The secret key to a WEP, or WPA encrypted network. Special quoting rules (see below) apply. 'Hidden=':: Whether or not the specified network is a hidden network. Defaults to `++no++'. 'AdHoc=':: Whether or not to use ad-hoc mode. Defaults to `++no++'. 'ScanFrequencies=':: A space-separated list of frequencies in MHz to scan when searching for the network. Defaults to all available frequencies. 'Frequency=':: A frequency in MHz to use in ad-hoc mode when a new IBSS is created (i.e. the network is not already present). 'Priority=':: Priority group for the network. In case of automatic profile selection, the matched network with the highest priority will be selected. Defaults to `++0++'. 'WPAConfigSection=()' [mandatory for 'Security=wpa-configsection']:: Array of lines that form a network block for *wpa_supplicant*. All of the above options will be ignored. 'WPAConfigFile=':: Path to a *wpa_supplicant* configuration file. Used only for 'Security=wpa-config'. All options except 'WPADriver=', 'TimeoutWPA=', and 'RFKill=' will be ignored. The profile is excluded from automatic profile selection. Defaults to '/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf'. 'Country=':: The country for which frequency regulations will be enforced. 'WPAGroup=':: Group that has the authority to configure *wpa_supplicant* via its control interface. Defaults to `++wheel++'. 'WPADriver=':: The *wpa_supplicant* driver to use. Defaults to `++nl80211,wext++'. 'TimeoutWPA=':: Maximum time, in seconds, to wait for steps in the association and authentication to succeed. Defaults to `++15++'. 'RFKill=':: The name of an *rfkill* device. When specified, the device is used to block/unblock the interface when appropriate. Names can be found in '/sys/class/rfkill/rfkillX/name'. It is also possible to set this variable to `++auto++'. In that case an *rfkill* device that is associated with the network interface is used. OPTIONS FOR `bond' CONNECTIONS ------------------------------ The interfaces of 'BindsToInterfaces=' are bound together in the interface named by 'Interface='. Next to the *ip options*, the following is understood for connections of the `bond' type: 'Mode=':: The bonding policy. See the kernel documentation on bonding for details. 'LinkOptions=':: Additional options to be passed to *ip link*. Run *ip link add type bond help* to see the available options. OPTIONS FOR `bridge' CONNECTIONS -------------------------------- The interfaces of 'BindsToInterfaces=' take part in the bridge named by 'Interface='. Next to the *ip options*, the following is understood for connections of the `bridge' type: 'SkipForwardingDelay=':: Skip \(R)STP and immediately activate all bridge members. This can be useful when DHCP is used on the bridge. 'LinkOptions=':: Additional options to be passed to *ip link*. Run *ip link add type bridge help* to see the available options. OPTIONS FOR `dummy' CONNECTIONS ------------------------------- The name of the dummy interface is specified in 'Interface='. Only the *ip options* are understood for connections of the `dummy' type. OPTIONS FOR `ppp' CONNECTIONS ----------------------------- This connection type is identical to the `pppoe' type below, with the ethernet interface specified in 'BindsToInterfaces='. The value of 'Interface=' must be of the form `ppp<++n++>', where ++n++ is passed on to 'PPPUnit='. OPTIONS FOR `pppoe' CONNECTIONS ------------------------------- The interface to dial peer-to-peer over ethernet is specified in 'Interface='. The following options are understood for connections of the `pppoe' type: 'User=' and 'Password=':: The username and password to connect with. 'ConnectionMode=':: One of `persist' or `demand', depending on how a connection should be established. Defaults to `++persist++'. 'IdleTimeout=' [requires 'ConnectionMode=demand']:: The idle time (in seconds) after which the PPP daemon should disconnect. 'MaxFail=':: The number of consecutive failed connection attempts to tolerate. A value of 0 means no limit. Defaults to `++5++'. 'DefaultRoute=':: Whether or not to use the default route provided by the peer. Defaults to `++yes++'. 'UsePeerDNS=':: Whether or not to use the DNS servers provided by the peer. Defaults to `++yes++'. 'PPPUnit=':: The PPP unit number in the interface name (`ppp0', `ppp1', etc.). 'LCPEchoInterval=' and 'LCPEchoFailure=':: These options override default LCP parameters from `/etc/ppp/options'. 'OptionsFile=':: A file to read additional *pppd*(8) options from. The following advanced options are also understood: 'PPPoEService=':: The PPPoE service name. 'PPPoEAC=':: The PPPoE access concentrator name. 'PPPoESession=':: An existing session to attach to. This option is of the form `sessid:macaddr'. 'PPPoEMAC=':: A MAC address to restrict the connection to. 'PPPoEIP6=':: Whether or not to enable IPv6CP and IPv6 protocols. When set to `no', IPv6CP negotiation and IPv6 communication is explicitly disabled. OPTIONS FOR `mobile_ppp' CONNECTIONS ------------------------------------ The name of the USB serial device is specified in 'Interface='. The following options are understood for connections of the `mobile_ppp' type: 'User=' and 'Password=':: The username and password to connect with. These are unset by default, as they are often not required. 'AccessPointName=':: The access point name (APN) to present to the carrier. This is specific to your ISP. 'Pin=':: If your modem requires a PIN to unlock, set it here. 'PhoneNumber':: The number to dial. Defaults to `++*99#++'. 'Mode=':: The connection mode. Can be one of `3Gpref', `3Gonly', `GPRSpref', `GPRSonly', `None', or a custom +AT^SYSCFG=...+ line specified as `++SYSCFG=...++{empty}'. This generates +AT+ commands specific to certain Huawei modems; all other devices should leave this option unset or set to `None'. 'Init=':: An initialization string sent to the modem before dialing. This string is sent after sending ``ATZ''. Defaults to `++ATQ0 V1 E1 S0=0 &C1 &D2 +FCLASS=0++'. 'ChatScript=':: Path to a chat file. If specified, no chat script will be generated and all of the above options except 'User=' and 'Password=' will be ignored. 'MaxFail=':: The number of consecutive failed connection attempts to tolerate. A value of 0 means no limit. Defaults to `++5++'. 'DefaultRoute=':: Whether or not to use the default route provided by the peer. Defaults to `++yes++'. 'UsePeerDNS=':: Whether or not to use the DNS servers provided by the peer. Defaults to `++yes++'. 'PPPUnit=':: The PPP unit number in the interface name (`ppp0', `ppp1', etc.). 'OptionsFile=':: A file to read additional *pppd*(8) options from. 'RFKill=':: The name of an *rfkill* device. When specified, the device is used to block/unblock the interface when appropriate. Names can be found in '/sys/class/rfkill/rfkillX/name'. OPTIONS FOR `openvswitch' CONNECTIONS ------------------------------------- The interfaces of 'BindsToInterfaces=' take part in the bridge named by 'Interface='. Only the *ip options* are understood for connections of the `openvswitch' type. OPTIONS FOR `tunnel' CONNECTIONS -------------------------------- The name of the tunnel interface is specified in 'Interface='. Next to the *ip options*, the following are understood for connections of the `tunnel' type: 'Mode=':: The tunnel type (e.g. `sit'). See *ip-tunnel*(8) for available modes. 'Local=':: The address of the local end of the tunnel. 'Remote=':: The address of the remote end of the tunnel. 'Key=' [requires 'Mode=gre']:: A key identifying an individual traffic flow within a tunnel. OPTIONS FOR `tuntap' CONNECTIONS -------------------------------- The name of the tuntap interface is specified in 'Interface='. Next to the *ip options*, the following are understood for connections of the `tuntap' type: 'Mode=':: Either `tun', or `tap'. 'User=':: The owning user of the tun/tap interface. 'Group=':: The owning group of the tun/tap interface. OPTIONS FOR `vlan' CONNECTIONS ------------------------------ The name of the vlan interface is specified in 'Interface='. The underlying physical interface is specified in 'BindsToInterfaces='. Hence, for vlan profiles, 'BindsToInterfaces=' contains the name of a single network interface. All options for connections of the `ethernet' type are understood for connections of the `vlan' type. Additionally, connections of the `vlan' type must set a vlan identifier using 'VLANID='. See *ip*(8) for details. OPTIONS FOR `macvlan' CONNECTIONS --------------------------------- The name of the macvlan interface is specified in 'Interface='. The underlying physical interface is specified in 'BindsToInterfaces='. Hence, for macvlan profiles, 'BindsToInterfaces=' contains the name of a single network interface. All options for connections of the `ethernet' type are understood for connections of the `macvlan' type. Next to the *ip options*, the following are understood for connections of the `macvlan' type: 'Mode=':: Either `bridge', `vepa', `private', or `passthru'. See *ip*(8) for details. OPTIONS FOR `wireguard' CONNECTIONS ----------------------------------- The name of the WireGuard interface is specified in 'Interface='. Next to the *ip options*, the following are understood for connections of the `wireguard' type: 'WGConfigFile=':: Path to a *WireGuard* configuration file. Defaults to '/etc/wireguard/$Interface.conf'. SPECIAL QUOTING RULES --------------------- Configuration files for *wpa_supplicant* use non-standard quoting. Therefore, non-standard quoting rules exist for some variables for connections of the `wireless' type. In particular, these variables are 'ESSID=', and 'Key='. A variable is considered *quoted* by *wpa_supplicant* if it is enclosed in double quotes ("). A variable is considered *non-quoted* by *wpa_supplicant* if it does not start with a double quote. Hexadecimal values are specified *non-quoted* in configuration files of *wpa_supplicant*. In *netctl*, variables are written to *wpa_supplicant* configuration files *quoted* by default. When special quoting rules apply, it is possible to specify an unquoted (hexadecimal) value using a special syntax. The special quoting rules of *netctl* are as follows. A string that starts with a literal double quote is considered *non-quoted*. Any other string is considered *quoted*. It is possible to specify quoted strings that start with a double quote by quoting manually. An extreme example is the specification of a *quoted* double quote: '`X='""""'`'. On the other end of the spectrum there is the *non-quoted* backslash: '`X=\"\\`'. Further examples of *quoted* strings (all equivalent): ------------- X=string X="string" X='""string"' ------------- Further examples of *non-quoted* strings (all equivalent): ------------ X=\"string X="\"string" X='"string' ------------ A mnemonic is to think of the prefix ``\"`' as saying `non'-`quote'. SEE ALSO -------- *netctl*(1), *resolvconf.conf*(5)