How To: Change a Network Interface Name 
=======================================

EL7 introduced `a new naming convention
<https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html/networking_guide/ch-consistent_network_device_naming>`__ 
for network interfaces that can result in long interface names. 

This convention has continued into EL8 and EL9. 

InterWorx appends :iw{n} to the interface name when an IP address is added through InterWorx.

As network interface names are limited to 16 characters, if the interface name exceeds 
16 characters, the name is automatically truncated. This may conflict with existing interface names, 
and has the potential to cause networking issues. 

.. contents::

To Change the NetWork Interface Name to Match eth0 Conventions
--------------------------------------------------------------

#. Log in to the server at the CLI as root, either via SSH or from the terminal
#. Using a text editor, open ``/etc/default/grub``. The following example uses the Vim text editor: 

   .. code-block::

      vim /etc/default/grub

#. In edit mode, add the following to the end of the ``GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX`` variable:

   .. code-block::

      net.ifnames=0 biosdevname=0

   - The line will look like this:

     .. code-block::

        GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="crashkernel=auto rd.lvm.lv=centos/root rd.lvm.lv=centos/swap rhgb quiet net.ifnames=0 biosdevname=0"

#. Save the change and exit the file
#. Run the following to test the configuration:

   .. code-block::

      grub2-mkconfig**

#. If there are no errors apply the change:

   .. code-block::

      grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

#. Copy the existing network configuration file to the new interface name 

   - Example, changing eno16777984 to eth0:

   .. code-block::

      cd /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts
      cp ifcfg-eno16777984 ifcfg-eth0

#. With a text editor, open the network configuration file 

   .. code-block::
   
      vim ifcfg-eth0 
      
#. In edit mode, edit the ``DEVICE`` variable to reflect the new name

   .. code-block::

      DEVICE="eth0"

#. Save the change and exit the file
#. Reboot, or restart networking 

  .. code-block::

     systemctl restart network