https://linuxconfig.org/how-to-switch-back-networking-to-etc-network-interfaces-on-ubuntu-20-04-focal-fossa-linux

This article will explain how to switch back networking from NetPlan/CloudInit on Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa Linux to yet now already obsolete networking managed via /etc/network/interfaces.

In this tutorial you will learn:

WARNING Switching back from NetPlan/CloudInit to the now obsolete networking daemon is not supported nor recommended as you might end up with a broken system.

Software Requirements and Conventions Used

Software Requirements and Linux Command Line Conventions

Category Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used
System Installed Ubuntu 20.04 or upgraded Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa
Software N/A
Other Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command.
Conventions # – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command $ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

How to switch back networking to /etc/network/interfaces on Ubuntu 20.04 step by step instructions

  1. First step is to install tools to configure network interfaces

    $ sudo apt update
    $ sudo apt install ifupdown net-tools
    
    
  2. Next, change from current enp0s3 to old network interfaces naming convention eth0. To do so with administrative privileges edit the /etc/default/grub file anf change the following line:

    FROM:
    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
    TO:
    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="net.ifnames=0 biosdevname=0"
    
    

    Edit Grub boot to change to old network interfaces naming convention eg. eth0

    Once ready update Grub with:

    $ sudo update-grub
    
    
  3. Reboot your system:

  4. As root or any administrative user edit the /etc/network/interfaces file and set eth0 network interface to obtain the IP address from DHCP:

    source /etc/network/interfaces.d/*
    
    # The loopback network interface
    auto lo
    iface lo inet loopback
    
    # The primary network interface
    allow-hotplug eth0
    iface eth0 inet dhcp
    
    

    Check this article if you need to set your network interface to a static IP address.

  5. Restart eth0 interface: NOTE Network restart via /etc/init.d/networking is not functional. To restart your network use the ifdown and ifup commands as shown above.

    $ sudo ifdown --force eth0
    $ sudo ifup eth0