Command runs as standard user but not using sudo from root

How about if you run:

sudo -i

Then run the first command, does it give an error?

# sudo -u standard_user -i

and from the shell prompt

$ nmcli con up id "vpn_service_provider"

Gives the same error.

Just run:

sudo -i

Then run the command....

Running first as the standard_user, and the 'sudo -i':

$ nmcli con up id "vpn_service_provider"
Active connection state: unknown
Active connection path: /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/ActiveConnection/4
state: VPN connecting (need authentication) (2)
state: VPN connecting (3)
state: VPN connecting (getting IP configuration) (4)
Connection activated

$ nmcli con down id "vpn_service_provider"

$ sudo -i

# /usr/bin/sudo -u standard_user -i /usr/bin/nmcli con up id "vpn_service_provider"
Error: Connection activation failed: Not authorized to control networking.
Sessions still open, not unmounting

That should read btw: Running first as the standard_user, and then 'sudo -i'

The problem is NetworkManager accesses the GNOME key ring for credentials, and as root does not (as far as I can make out) possess a key ring then I need to be able to manage the network via a standard user with admin. rights.

OK, sudoing into the root shell with 'sudo -i':

su standard_user -c '/usr/bin/nmcli con up id "vpn_service_provider"'

Works fine.

I shall test also if this works also from the '/etc/network/if-up.d/' script I need it to work from.

OK, that seems to work fine :)

I shall flag the question as answered unless anyone wants to ponder what is going on here otherwise.

Thanks for your time AW.