4

On a Ubuntu Server LTS 20.x, with renderer : networkd, LAN / WAN Connectivity are all properly fucntional. However in Cockpit > Software Updates, it gives the error message:

Loading available updates failed    
Cannot refresh cache whilst offline

Changing the setting to renderer : NetworkManager
makes Cockpit > Software Updates work flawlessly without impacting the Networking module in Cockpit.

But I would rather stick to renderer : networkd as this is a Server.

Any insight to get renderer : networkd to work ? Or Cockpit just 'needs' NetworkManager ?

Note:

sudo systemctl stop network-manager.service    
sudo systemctl disable network-manager.service

Will make the Networking module in cockpit fail with error :

Network devices and graphs require NetworkManager
MarcoZen
  • 281

3 Answers3

3

Apparently Cockpit just 'needs' Network Manager.

That was hinted at in my question as well.

Changing the setting to renderer : NetworkManager makes Cockpit > Software Updates work flawlessly without impacting the Networking module in Cockpit.

Other workarounds cause some modules ( especially the Networking module ) to not function properly. Cockpit project github reference -> https://github.com/cockpit-project/cockpit/issues/15746

Note : This method also ensures that when you use Cockpit to manage your Virtual Machines, creating bridges etc work flawlessly as well.

MarcoZen
  • 281
2

According to this, the easiest workaround until Ubuntu settles on a network manager is this:

nmcli con add type dummy con-name fake ifname fake0 ip4 1.2.3.4/24 gw4 1.2.3.1
Cees Timmerman
  • 631
2

The issue is still valid on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

The FAQ on Cockpit's web pages provides steps for a workaround (and explanation as well):

  1. Create a placeholder file and network interface. Create /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/10-globally-managed-devices.conf with the contents:
[keyfile]
unmanaged-devices=none
  1. If you run on Ubuntu with arm64 (e.g.: on a Raspberry Pi), install extra Linux kernel modules for networking:
sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-raspi
  1. Set up a “dummy” network interface:
nmcli con add type dummy con-name fake ifname fake0 ip4 1.2.3.4/24 gw4 1.2.3.1
  1. Reboot
LiborStefek
  • 121