NetCTL (Network control)

SystemD NetworkD is preferred because it was easier to configure, especially for a network with multiple device interfaces.

NetCTL profile examples

• cp /etc/netctl/examples/<name> /etc/netctl/<name>
• nano /etc/netctl/<name>
• netctl enable <name>
• netctl start <name>

NetCTL uses openresolv for DNS.

If two or more netctl profiles are attempted to be started for two or more network devices.

Source Arch Linux netctl Troubleshooting RTNETLINK answers: File exists (with multiple NICs)

The remedy for all errors is to order the activation of all network devices in a new SystemD service /etc/systemd/system/netctl.static.service.

• For each network device netctl profile: comment out "Routes" and "Gateway".
• Ensure that all the netctl profiles for the required network devices are "enabled".
• Disable the SystemD NetCTL service systemctl disable netctl.
• Enable the custom NetCTL service systemctl enable netctl.static.service.

Error	Cause	Remedy
Could not set gateway '<IP>' on interface '[dev]' Failed to bring the network up for profile '<name>'	A wired network device can not be set by netctl if the wired is not connected.	Enable static IP on a wired interface regardless if the wire is connected or not SkipNoCarrier=yes.
Failed to connect ... no route to host ... and attempting to ping results in Destination host unreachable	Conflicting default gateways, that is, two or more default gateways defined in two or more profiles.	Configure gateway for more than 1 network device.
Multiple interfaces match the same shared network: dev1 dev2 ... Multiple interfaces match the same subnet: dev1 dev2 ...	If two or more netctl profiles are attempted to be started for two or more network devices.	Configure gateway for more than 1 network device.
No connection found on interface '[dev]' (timeout) Failed to bring the network up for profile 'name' netctl@[dev].service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE netctl@[dev].service: Failed with result 'exit-code'. Failed to start A basic static ethernet connection.	If two or more netctl profiles are attempted to be started for two or more network devices.	Configure gateway for more than 1 network device.
RTNETLINK answers: File exists (with multiple NICs)	If two or more netctl profiles are attempted to be started for two or more network devices.	Configure gateway for more than 1 network device.