diff --git a/doc/source/admin/openstack-operations/managing-networks.rst b/doc/source/admin/openstack-operations/managing-networks.rst
index 6fb527d1c1..9ced1752bf 100644
--- a/doc/source/admin/openstack-operations/managing-networks.rst
+++ b/doc/source/admin/openstack-operations/managing-networks.rst
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ add a new block underneath the ``provider_networks`` section:
 The ``container_bridge`` setting defines the physical network bridge used
 to connect the veth pair from the physical host to the container.
 Inside the container, the ``container_interface`` setting defines the name
-at which the physical network will be made available.
+at which the physical network will be made available. The
+``container_interface`` setting is not required when Neutron agents are
+deployed on bare metal.
 Make sure that both settings are uniquely defined across their provider
 networks and that the network interface is correctly configured inside your
 operating system.
diff --git a/etc/openstack_deploy/openstack_user_config.yml.example b/etc/openstack_deploy/openstack_user_config.yml.example
index 1e15398884..9bab1abaa1 100644
--- a/etc/openstack_deploy/openstack_user_config.yml.example
+++ b/etc/openstack_deploy/openstack_user_config.yml.example
@@ -140,7 +140,10 @@
 #
 #       Option: container_interface (required, string)
 #       Name of unique interface in containers to use for this network.
-#       Typical values include 'eth1', 'eth2', etc.
+#       Typical values include 'eth1', 'eth2', etc. This option is OPTIONAL
+#       for Neutron provider network definitions when Neutron agents are
+#       deployed on bare metal (default), but REQUIRED when agents are
+#       deployed in containers and for all other non-Neutron use-cases.
 #       NOTE: Container interface is different from host interfaces.
 #
 #       Option: container_type (required, string)
diff --git a/osa_toolkit/generate.py b/osa_toolkit/generate.py
index 6519d5c1e0..158edd5398 100755
--- a/osa_toolkit/generate.py
+++ b/osa_toolkit/generate.py
@@ -745,7 +745,7 @@ def container_skel_load(container_skel, inventory, config):
                     ip_q=ip_from_q,
                     q_name=q_name,
                     netmask=netmask,
-                    interface=p_net['container_interface'],
+                    interface=p_net.get('container_interface'),
                     bridge=p_net['container_bridge'],
                     net_type=p_net.get('container_type'),
                     net_mtu=p_net.get('container_mtu'),
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/provider-network-container-interface-opt-80263aebc5b8e7c3.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/provider-network-container-interface-opt-80263aebc5b8e7c3.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5c4cc3fc4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/provider-network-container-interface-opt-80263aebc5b8e7c3.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    The ``container_interface`` provider network option is no longer required
+    for Neutron provider network definitions when related agents or OVN
+    controllers are deployed on bare metal.