summary:

Testing load Devuan 4 64 bit on a laptop with desktop dvd iso from usb with nonfree sources.

loaded the XFCE (default) and mate DE.

After first boot to DE:

check

dmesg | grep failed

for missing drivers (loaded b43 driver).

Whether you install with static IP for wired connection or not, network manager is in control (nothing in /etc/network/interface).
Look in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections and use ls command to list available connections.

TIP:

If you plug and unplug wired connection(s) and/or switch rf (wifi) connections, network manager will get confused. Sometimes network manager is a little slow (couple of seconds at the most), and if you are logging into via ssh, the ssh connection may lock up. The solution for me was to logout/login on the laptop or reboot/shutdown which will break the ssh connection pipe. Shades of $doze reboot/restart appears to help.

Conclusion:

Overall the Chimaera OS appears to be smooth and almost ready for daily driver. This laptop will stay config this way for mpw. Iit is for more  testing and playing with.

Hope this helps.

Any questions, post a reply. I will mark this solved in a few days.

Just my 2cents. Now who said that?
Golinux you may check my spelling

OK I can confirm that you can change the IP4 address settings in:

/etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/'Wired connection 1'

This test was a install with static IP. Then changed the setting of the IP4 address, then reboot and it worked fine.

OK got it it's in:

/etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/'Wired connection 1'

since when has spaces been allowed in file names? The way I l;earned a long time ago was the kiss rule and no spaces.

OK more research

correction I meant all three:

echo "net.ipv6.conf.all.disable_ipv6 = 1" >> /etc/sysctl.conf ; sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.conf

echo "net.ipv6.conf.default.disable_ipv6 = 1" >> /etc/sysctl.conf ; sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.conf

echo "net.ipv6.conf.lo.disable_ipv6 = 1" >> /etc/sysctl.conf ; sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.conf

OK update
changed cable modem/router password to lowercase and the winoze machine updated the key and it's back online.

going to try a wireless install which I have never done cause of problems in the past.

I have seen DHCPDISCOVER hang on boot. Hangs on DHCP ip6 looks like. Will have to check cable modem/router for IP6 settings. They may be off I think.

I will take a look. First thing is that this was setup with a static for eth0 but nothing is in /etc/network/interfaces showing eth0. I put a a 192.XXX.XXX.XXX during install. But nothing is there except Lo:

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

I will take a read on the link

I was looking at your statement in #4:
"start with a netinstall iso and un-check everything except standard system utilities in the tasksel window. Add the cli refracta tools and make some config changes, and then make the no-X iso.  "

I was going to start this lab test with Devuan Jessie 32 bit and wanted to do a ISO to build from (no GUI), then build from there. Then do a ASCII net install after this on on the next test.
Just trying to do a minimal install to start with to get the ISO. I will try the latest version. Thanks.

+1 sounds great