Different linux distribution vendors put their networking configuration files in different places in the filesystem. Here is a brief summary of the locations of the IP networking configuration information under a few common linux distributions along with links to further documentation.

Location of networking configuration files

RedHat (and Mandrake)

  • Interface definitions /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-*
  • Hostname and default gateway definition /etc/sysconfig/network
  • Definition of static routes /etc/sysconfig/static-routes


SuSe (version >= 8.0)

  • Interface definitions /etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-*
  • Static route definition /etc/sysconfig/network/routes
  • Interface specific static route definition /etc/sysconfig/network/ifroute-*


SuSe (version <= 8.0)

  • Interface and route definitions /etc/rc.config


Debian

  • Interface and route definitions /etc/network/interfaces


Gentoo
  • Interface and route definitions /etc/conf.d/net


Slackware
  • Interface and route definitions /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1


The format of the networking configuration files differs significantly from distribution to distribution, yet the tools used by these scripts are the same. This documentation will focus on these tools and how they instruct the kernel to alter interface and route information. Consult the distribution's documentation for questions of file format and order of operation.