Adding a TAP device which has a score ("-") in the name breaks the startup scripts. examples: net.tap-VM1 -> error net.tap_VM1 -> working net.tapVM1 -> working Unfortunately, I can not run tests using other devices than TAP. So at this point I can not test if other interface types are affected as well. Please clarify whether this is a bug or expected behavior. If it's a naming convention limitation, then a note should be added to Netifrc documentation.