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Asked: 2024-09-25T01:19:44+05:30 In:

Is there a way to load a netplan configuration file from a directory other than /etc/netplan in Ubuntu?

I’ve been digging into netplan configurations on my Ubuntu setup and stumbled into a bit of a conundrum. So, I’m hoping someone out there might have some insights. The thing is, I understand the usual drill: you modify your .yaml files in the /etc/netplan directory, apply the changes with `netplan apply`, and voila! Networking bliss. But what if you wanted to load a netplan configuration file from somewhere else? Like a custom directory or another path?

Imagine a scenario where you’re working in a dev environment, or you have multiple system images and want to keep your netplan configuration files tidy in separate directories. I can totally see how having the flexibility to load these .yaml files from a specific directory could simplify things. But, is that even possible?

I’ve done a bit of searching but haven’t turned up much. I found some mentions of alternative configurations, but it all seemed a bit vague. Sure, I could probably create a symlink from my custom directory to /etc/netplan, but that feels like a workaround, not a solution. Plus, what happens during system updates? Am I just asking for trouble?

I guess I’m curious if anyone here has tackled this before, or if you’ve got some handy tips on how to properly structure things to make it less of a headache. Maybe there’s a command-line option I’m missing that allows you to specify a different path or load configurations dynamically?

I’d really love to hear your thoughts or experiences! If you’ve ever had to juggle multiple networking setups and found a neat way to handle netplan configurations outside the standard directory, would you be willing to share? I think it could help a lot of us streamline our workflow or avoid potential pitfalls.

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    2 Answers



    1. Netplan Configuration Help

      Loading Netplan Configurations from Custom Directories?

      It sounds like you’re diving deep into the world of netplan configurations! I get the desire to keep things neat, especially if you’re working with different environments. Unfortunately, as of now, there isn’t a built-in way to load netplan configuration files from a custom directory apart from the standard /etc/netplan path.

      You’re correct that creating a symlink could work as a workaround, and many people do this to keep their configurations tidier. However, there are some things to keep in mind:

      • System Updates: You might run into issues during updates if the system expects to find the config files in /etc/netplan. It’s not without risks, but people still do it.
      • Backup and Organization: Instead of moving files around, consider keeping your custom configurations organized in your own directory and only symlinking or copying the desired one to /etc/netplan when you need it.
      • Scripted Changes: You could write a simple script that copies the appropriate config file into /etc/netplan based on your needs and then runs netplan apply.

      So, while it might not be as straightforward as loading from any directory you like, there are definitely ways to manage multiple setups with a bit of creativity. Just make sure to keep backups! If you find a truly neat solution, sharing it with others could definitely help those in similar situations.

      Good luck, and may your networking be smooth!


    2. If you’re looking to load netplan configuration files from a custom directory, it’s essential to understand that netplan primarily operates with files located in the `/etc/netplan` directory. By design, this is where the netplan tool expects to find YAML files, and there isn’t a built-in command-line option that allows you to specify an alternative path directly when invoking netplan. While creating symbolic links from your custom directory to `/etc/netplan` is a common workaround, you are correct in noting that it has potential pitfalls, especially concerning system updates. During updates, the symlink might lead to unexpected behavior or even conflicts depending on how the updates are managed and applied.

      To streamline your workflow effectively, consider implementing a script that manages your configurations dynamically. You could create a utility that copies the desired YAML configuration from your custom directory into `/etc/netplan` before applying it, ensuring that you always work with the correct configuration while maintaining a tidy directory structure. This approach allows you to keep your configurations organized and makes it easier to switch between different setups without relying on symlinks. Furthermore, incorporating version control (like Git) into your custom configuration directory can be immensely beneficial, offering you a way to manage changes and rollbacks efficiently without cluttering the core netplan directory.

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