Chimera Linux Swaps iwd for NetworkManager
The 20261103 snapshot ships kernel 7.3 and updated desktops, and the base image now uses NetworkManager for networking.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Computers
Chimera Linux, an independently developed distribution, released its 20261103 snapshot on November 3, 2026, shipping Linux kernel 7.3 with GNOME 51 and Plasma 6.8 desktops. The base image now uses NetworkManager in place of iwd. The release is shipped, not announced.
Why it matters
The snapshot swaps the base image's network stack to NetworkManager, which simplifies network setup on systems without a graphical interface and prepares the distribution for the removal of AF_ALG. It is also the first image refresh in roughly a year.
The release is documented with kernel 7.3, GNOME 51 and Plasma 6.8, and live images measure 2,828MB for Plasma, 1,872MB for GNOME and 1,144MB for the base image. The figures describe image sizes and component versions as published, with no benchmark results reported.
The players
Chimera Linux
An independently developed Linux distribution whose base image and desktop images are built from its own packaging and tooling.
The details
Chimera Linux is built around its own package and init choices, and this snapshot changes the base image so that NetworkManager replaces iwd for managing wireless and wired connections. NetworkManager is a widely used daemon that handles network configuration automatically, which reduces manual setup on systems without a desktop environment. The images ship with SHA256 checksums, signatures and package lists so users can verify what they download.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Chimera Linux 20261103 snapshot released.
The Tech Race
Chimera Linux's switch to NetworkManager places it alongside mainstream distributions that already rely on that daemon for network management. The change also positions the project ahead of the planned removal of AF_ALG, a kernel crypto interface it is preparing for.
Users who download the 20261103 Chimera Linux images get kernel 7.3 with GNOME 51 or Plasma 6.8, and the base image now configures networking through NetworkManager instead of iwd. Availability is immediate for the released images, and the source does not indicate pricing or upgrade paths for existing installs.
The takeaway
The change to NetworkManager and the refreshed desktop images show Chimera Linux updating its core stack after about a year without new release images. Readers tracking the distribution should watch whether the next snapshot removes remaining legacy networking dependencies as planned.
Further reading
For broader context on operating systems and desktop platforms, browse the Computers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DistroWatch.
