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Settings Priority

How does NETworkManager prioritize settings across different levels (global, group, profile)?​

NETworkManager uses a clear hierarchy to apply settings, allowing you to configure profiles with flexibility and precision. Settings are prioritized across three levels, from broadest to most specific:

  1. Global Settings
    Default settings applied across all profiles in NETworkManager unless overridden.
    Example: A default SSH key file used for all network devices.

  2. Group Settings
    Applied to all profiles within a specific group, overriding global settings. Use these to customize settings for a set of devices.
    Example: A unique SSH key file for a group of servers in a data center.

  3. Profile Settings
    Specific to an individual profile, overriding both group and global settings. Use these for fine-tuned configurations on a single device.
    Example: A custom SSH key file for a critical server.

Settings are applied in this order:

Global Settings (default) → Group Settings (overrides Global) → Profile Settings (overrides Group)