diff --git a/qemu-options.hx b/qemu-options.hx
index 5e4c64d..914019c 100644
--- a/qemu-options.hx
+++ b/qemu-options.hx
@@ -2048,41 +2048,18 @@ DEF("net", HAS_ARG, QEMU_OPTION_net,
     "                old way to initialize a host network interface\n"
     "                (use the -netdev option if possible instead)\n", QEMU_ARCH_ALL)
 STEXI
-@item -net nic[,vlan=@var{n}][,netdev=@var{nd}][,macaddr=@var{mac}][,model=@var{type}] [,name=@var{name}][,addr=@var{addr}][,vectors=@var{v}]
-@findex -net
-Configure or create an on-board (or machine default) Network Interface Card
-(NIC) and connect it either to VLAN @var{n} (@var{n} = 0 is the default), or
-to the netdev @var{nd}. The NIC is an e1000 by default on the PC
-target. Optionally, the MAC address can be changed to @var{mac}, the
-device address set to @var{addr} (PCI cards only),
-and a @var{name} can be assigned for use in monitor commands.
-Optionally, for PCI cards, you can specify the number @var{v} of MSI-X vectors
-that the card should have; this option currently only affects virtio cards; set
-@var{v} = 0 to disable MSI-X. If no @option{-net} option is specified, a single
-NIC is created.  QEMU can emulate several different models of network card.
-Valid values for @var{type} are
-@code{virtio}, @code{i82551}, @code{i82557b}, @code{i82559er},
-@code{ne2k_pci}, @code{ne2k_isa}, @code{pcnet}, @code{rtl8139},
-@code{e1000}, @code{smc91c111}, @code{lance} and @code{mcf_fec}.
-Not all devices are supported on all targets.  Use @code{-net nic,model=help}
-for a list of available devices for your target.
-
-@item -netdev user,id=@var{id}[,@var{option}][,@var{option}][,...]
-@findex -netdev
-@item -net user[,@var{option}][,@var{option}][,...]
-Use the user mode network stack which requires no administrator
+@item --netdev user,id=@var{id}[,@var{option}][,@var{option}][,...]
+@findex --netdev
+Configure user mode host network backend which requires no administrator
 privilege to run. Valid options are:
 
 @table @option
-@item vlan=@var{n}
-Connect user mode stack to VLAN @var{n} (@var{n} = 0 is the default).
-
 @item id=@var{id}
-@itemx name=@var{name}
 Assign symbolic name for use in monitor commands.
 
-@option{ipv4} and @option{ipv6} specify that either IPv4 or IPv6 must
-be enabled.  If neither is specified both protocols are enabled.
+@item ipv4=on|off and ipv6=on|off
+Specify that either IPv4 or IPv6 must be enabled. If neither is specified
+both protocols are enabled.
 
 @item net=@var{addr}[/@var{mask}]
 Set IP network address the guest will see. Optionally specify the netmask,
@@ -2134,7 +2111,7 @@ can not be resolved.
 
 Example:
 @example
-qemu -net user,dnssearch=mgmt.example.org,dnssearch=example.org [...]
+qemu-system-i386 --device e1000,netdev=n1 --netdev user,id=n1,dnssearch=mgmt.example.org,dnssearch=example.org [...]
 @end example
 
 @item tftp=@var{dir}
@@ -2150,7 +2127,8 @@ a guest from a local directory.
 
 Example (using pxelinux):
 @example
-qemu-system-i386 -hda linux.img -boot n -net user,tftp=/path/to/tftp/files,bootfile=/pxelinux.0
+qemu-system-i386 --hda linux.img --boot n --device e1000,netdev=n1 \
+    --netdev user,id=n1,tftp=/path/to/tftp/files,bootfile=/pxelinux.0
 @end example
 
 @item smb=@var{dir}[,smbserver=@var{addr}]
@@ -2185,7 +2163,7 @@ screen 0, use the following:
 
 @example
 # on the host
-qemu-system-i386 -net user,hostfwd=tcp:127.0.0.1:6001-:6000 [...]
+qemu-system-i386 --device virtio-net-pci,netdev=n1 --netdev user,id=n1,hostfwd=tcp:127.0.0.1:6001-:6000 [...]
 # this host xterm should open in the guest X11 server
 xterm -display :1
 @end example
@@ -2195,7 +2173,7 @@ the guest, use the following:
 
 @example
 # on the host
-qemu-system-i386 -net user,hostfwd=tcp::5555-:23 [...]
+qemu-system-i386 --device e1000,netdev=n1 --netdev user,id=n1,hostfwd=tcp::5555-:23 [...]
 telnet localhost 5555
 @end example
 
@@ -2214,7 +2192,7 @@ lifetime, like in the following example:
 @example
 # open 10.10.1.1:4321 on bootup, connect 10.0.2.100:1234 to it whenever
 # the guest accesses it
-qemu -net user,guestfwd=tcp:10.0.2.100:1234-tcp:10.10.1.1:4321 [...]
+qemu-system-i386 --device e1000,netdev=n1 --netdev user,id=n1,guestfwd=tcp:10.0.2.100:1234-tcp:10.10.1.1:4321 [...]
 @end example
 
 Or you can execute a command on every TCP connection established by the guest,
@@ -2223,7 +2201,7 @@ so that QEMU behaves similar to an inetd process for that virtual server:
 @example
 # call "netcat 10.10.1.1 4321" on every TCP connection to 10.0.2.100:1234
 # and connect the TCP stream to its stdin/stdout
-qemu -net 'user,guestfwd=tcp:10.0.2.100:1234-cmd:netcat 10.10.1.1 4321'
+qemu-system-i386 --device e1000,netdev=n1 --netdev 'user,id=n1,guestfwd=tcp:10.0.2.100:1234-cmd:netcat 10.10.1.1 4321'
 @end example
 
 @end table
@@ -2233,9 +2211,8 @@ processed and applied to -net user. Mixing them with the new configuration
 syntax gives undefined results. Their use for new applications is discouraged
 as they will be removed from future versions.
 
-@item -netdev tap,id=@var{id}[,fd=@var{h}][,ifname=@var{name}][,script=@var{file}][,downscript=@var{dfile}][,br=@var{bridge}][,helper=@var{helper}]
-@itemx -net tap[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,fd=@var{h}][,ifname=@var{name}][,script=@var{file}][,downscript=@var{dfile}][,br=@var{bridge}][,helper=@var{helper}]
-Connect the host TAP network interface @var{name} to VLAN @var{n}.
+@item --netdev tap,id=@var{id}[,fd=@var{h}][,ifname=@var{name}][,script=@var{file}][,downscript=@var{dfile}][,br=@var{bridge}][,helper=@var{helper}]
+Configure a host TAP network backend with ID @var{id}.
 
 Use the network script @var{file} to configure it and the network script
 @var{dfile} to deconfigure it. If @var{name} is not provided, the OS
@@ -2256,7 +2233,7 @@ Examples:
 
 @example
 #launch a QEMU instance with the default network script
-qemu-system-i386 linux.img -net nic -net tap
+qemu-system-i386 linux.img --netdev tap,id=n1 --device virtio-net-pci,netdev=n1
 @end example
 
 @example
@@ -2270,12 +2247,11 @@ qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
 @example
 #launch a QEMU instance with the default network helper to
 #connect a TAP device to bridge br0
-qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic -net tap,"helper=/path/to/qemu-bridge-helper"
+qemu-system-i386 linux.img --device e1000,netdev=n1 \
+        --netdev tap,id=n1,"helper=/path/to/qemu-bridge-helper"
 @end example
 
-@item -netdev bridge,id=@var{id}[,br=@var{bridge}][,helper=@var{helper}]
-@itemx -net bridge[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,br=@var{bridge}][,helper=@var{helper}]
+@item --netdev bridge,id=@var{id}[,br=@var{bridge}][,helper=@var{helper}]
 Connect a host TAP network interface to a host bridge device.
 
 Use the network helper @var{helper} to configure the TAP interface and
@@ -2288,21 +2264,20 @@ Examples:
 @example
 #launch a QEMU instance with the default network helper to
 #connect a TAP device to bridge br0
-qemu-system-i386 linux.img -net bridge -net nic,model=virtio
+qemu-system-i386 linux.img --netdev bridge,id=n1 --device virtio-net,netdev=n1
 @end example
 
 @example
 #launch a QEMU instance with the default network helper to
 #connect a TAP device to bridge qemubr0
-qemu-system-i386 linux.img -net bridge,br=qemubr0 -net nic,model=virtio
+qemu-system-i386 linux.img --netdev bridge,br=qemubr0,id=n1 --device virtio-net,netdev=n1
 @end example
 
-@item -netdev socket,id=@var{id}[,fd=@var{h}][,listen=[@var{host}]:@var{port}][,connect=@var{host}:@var{port}]
-@itemx -net socket[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,fd=@var{h}] [,listen=[@var{host}]:@var{port}][,connect=@var{host}:@var{port}]
+@item --netdev socket,id=@var{id}[,fd=@var{h}][,listen=[@var{host}]:@var{port}][,connect=@var{host}:@var{port}]
 
-Connect the VLAN @var{n} to a remote VLAN in another QEMU virtual
-machine using a TCP socket connection. If @option{listen} is
-specified, QEMU waits for incoming connections on @var{port}
+This host network backend can be used to connect the guest's network to
+another QEMU virtual machine using a TCP socket connection. If @option{listen}
+is specified, QEMU waits for incoming connections on @var{port}
 (@var{host} is optional). @option{connect} is used to connect to
 another QEMU instance using the @option{listen} option. @option{fd}=@var{h}
 specifies an already opened TCP socket.
@@ -2311,21 +2286,19 @@ Example:
 @example
 # launch a first QEMU instance
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
-                 -net socket,listen=:1234
-# connect the VLAN 0 of this instance to the VLAN 0
-# of the first instance
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n1,mac=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n1,listen=:1234
+# connect the network of this instance to the network of the first instance
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:57 \
-                 -net socket,connect=127.0.0.1:1234
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n2,mac=52:54:00:12:34:57 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n2,connect=127.0.0.1:1234
 @end example
 
-@item -netdev socket,id=@var{id}[,fd=@var{h}][,mcast=@var{maddr}:@var{port}[,localaddr=@var{addr}]]
-@itemx -net socket[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,fd=@var{h}][,mcast=@var{maddr}:@var{port}[,localaddr=@var{addr}]]
+@item --netdev socket,id=@var{id}[,fd=@var{h}][,mcast=@var{maddr}:@var{port}[,localaddr=@var{addr}]]
 
-Create a VLAN @var{n} shared with another QEMU virtual
-machines using a UDP multicast socket, effectively making a bus for
-every QEMU with same multicast address @var{maddr} and @var{port}.
+Configure a socket host network backend to shared the guest's network traffic
+with another QEMU virtual machines using a UDP multicast socket, effectively
+making a bus for every QEMU with same multicast address @var{maddr} and @var{port}.
 NOTES:
 @enumerate
 @item
@@ -2342,25 +2315,24 @@ Example:
 @example
 # launch one QEMU instance
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
-                 -net socket,mcast=230.0.0.1:1234
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n1,mac=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n1,mcast=230.0.0.1:1234
 # launch another QEMU instance on same "bus"
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:57 \
-                 -net socket,mcast=230.0.0.1:1234
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n2,mac=52:54:00:12:34:57 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n2,mcast=230.0.0.1:1234
 # launch yet another QEMU instance on same "bus"
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:58 \
-                 -net socket,mcast=230.0.0.1:1234
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n3,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:58 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n3,mcast=230.0.0.1:1234
 @end example
 
 Example (User Mode Linux compat.):
 @example
-# launch QEMU instance (note mcast address selected
-# is UML's default)
+# launch QEMU instance (note mcast address selected is UML's default)
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
-                 -net socket,mcast=239.192.168.1:1102
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n1,mac=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n1,mcast=239.192.168.1:1102
 # launch UML
 /path/to/linux ubd0=/path/to/root_fs eth0=mcast
 @end example
@@ -2368,14 +2340,13 @@ qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
 Example (send packets from host's 1.2.3.4):
 @example
 qemu-system-i386 linux.img \
-                 -net nic,macaddr=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
-                 -net socket,mcast=239.192.168.1:1102,localaddr=1.2.3.4
+                 --device e1000,netdev=n1,mac=52:54:00:12:34:56 \
+                 --netdev socket,id=n1,mcast=239.192.168.1:1102,localaddr=1.2.3.4
 @end example
 
-@item -netdev l2tpv3,id=@var{id},src=@var{srcaddr},dst=@var{dstaddr}[,srcport=@var{srcport}][,dstport=@var{dstport}],txsession=@var{txsession}[,rxsession=@var{rxsession}][,ipv6][,udp][,cookie64][,counter][,pincounter][,txcookie=@var{txcookie}][,rxcookie=@var{rxcookie}][,offset=@var{offset}]
-@itemx -net l2tpv3[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}],src=@var{srcaddr},dst=@var{dstaddr}[,srcport=@var{srcport}][,dstport=@var{dstport}],txsession=@var{txsession}[,rxsession=@var{rxsession}][,ipv6][,udp][,cookie64][,counter][,pincounter][,txcookie=@var{txcookie}][,rxcookie=@var{rxcookie}][,offset=@var{offset}]
-Connect VLAN @var{n} to L2TPv3 pseudowire. L2TPv3 (RFC3391) is a popular
-protocol to transport Ethernet (and other Layer 2) data frames between
+@item --netdev l2tpv3,id=@var{id},src=@var{srcaddr},dst=@var{dstaddr}[,srcport=@var{srcport}][,dstport=@var{dstport}],txsession=@var{txsession}[,rxsession=@var{rxsession}][,ipv6][,udp][,cookie64][,counter][,pincounter][,txcookie=@var{txcookie}][,rxcookie=@var{rxcookie}][,offset=@var{offset}]
+Configure a L2TPv3 pseudowire host network backend. L2TPv3 (RFC3391) is a
+popular protocol to transport Ethernet (and other Layer 2) data frames between
 two systems. It is present in routers, firewalls and the Linux kernel
 (from version 3.3 onwards).
 
@@ -2428,14 +2399,13 @@ brctl addif br-lan vmtunnel0
 # on 4.3.2.1
 # launch QEMU instance - if your network has reorder or is very lossy add ,pincounter
 
-qemu-system-i386 linux.img -net nic -net l2tpv3,src=4.2.3.1,dst=1.2.3.4,udp,srcport=16384,dstport=16384,rxsession=0xffffffff,txsession=0xffffffff,counter
-
+qemu-system-i386 linux.img --device e1000,netdev=n1 \
+    --netdev l2tpv3,id=n1,src=4.2.3.1,dst=1.2.3.4,udp,srcport=16384,dstport=16384,rxsession=0xffffffff,txsession=0xffffffff,counter
 
 @end example
 
-@item -netdev vde,id=@var{id}[,sock=@var{socketpath}][,port=@var{n}][,group=@var{groupname}][,mode=@var{octalmode}]
-@itemx -net vde[,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}][,sock=@var{socketpath}] [,port=@var{n}][,group=@var{groupname}][,mode=@var{octalmode}]
-Connect VLAN @var{n} to PORT @var{n} of a vde switch running on host and
+@item --netdev vde,id=@var{id}[,sock=@var{socketpath}][,port=@var{n}][,group=@var{groupname}][,mode=@var{octalmode}]
+Configure VDE backend to connect to PORT @var{n} of a vde switch running on host and
 listening for incoming connections on @var{socketpath}. Use GROUP @var{groupname}
 and MODE @var{octalmode} to change default ownership and permissions for
 communication port. This option is only available if QEMU has been compiled
@@ -2446,10 +2416,10 @@ Example:
 # launch vde switch
 vde_switch -F -sock /tmp/myswitch
 # launch QEMU instance
-qemu-system-i386 linux.img -net nic -net vde,sock=/tmp/myswitch
+qemu-system-i386 linux.img --device e1000,netdev=n1 --netdev vde,id=n1,sock=/tmp/myswitch
 @end example
 
-@item -netdev hubport,id=@var{id},hubid=@var{hubid}[,netdev=@var{nd}]
+@item --netdev hubport,id=@var{id},hubid=@var{hubid}[,netdev=@var{nd}]
 
 Create a hub port on QEMU "vlan" @var{hubid}.
 
@@ -2459,7 +2429,7 @@ required hub automatically. Alternatively, you can also connect the hubport
 to another netdev with ID @var{nd} by using the @option{netdev=@var{nd}}
 option.
 
-@item -netdev vhost-user,chardev=@var{id}[,vhostforce=on|off][,queues=n]
+@item --netdev vhost-user,chardev=@var{id}[,vhostforce=on|off][,queues=n]
 
 Establish a vhost-user netdev, backed by a chardev @var{id}. The chardev should
 be a unix domain socket backed one. The vhost-user uses a specifically defined
@@ -2488,6 +2458,31 @@ hardware MAC address can be set with @option{mac=@var{macaddr}}.
 Indicate that no network devices should be configured. It is used to override
 the default configuration (default NIC with @option{--net user} backend) which
 is activated if no other networking options are provided.
+
+@item -net nic[,vlan=@var{n}][,netdev=@var{nd}][,macaddr=@var{mac}][,model=@var{type}] [,name=@var{name}][,addr=@var{addr}][,vectors=@var{v}]
+@findex -net
+Legacy option to configure or create an on-board (or machine default) Network
+Interface Card(NIC) and connect it either to the emulated hub port ("vlan")
+with number @var{n} (@var{n} = 0 is the default), or to the netdev @var{nd}.
+The NIC is an e1000 by default on the PC target. Optionally, the MAC address
+can be changed to @var{mac}, the device address set to @var{addr} (PCI cards
+only), and a @var{name} can be assigned for use in monitor commands.
+Optionally, for PCI cards, you can specify the number @var{v} of MSI-X vectors
+that the card should have; this option currently only affects virtio cards; set
+@var{v} = 0 to disable MSI-X. If no @option{-net} option is specified, a single
+NIC is created.  QEMU can emulate several different models of network card.
+Valid values for @var{type} are
+@code{virtio}, @code{i82551}, @code{i82557b}, @code{i82559er},
+@code{ne2k_pci}, @code{ne2k_isa}, @code{pcnet}, @code{rtl8139},
+@code{e1000}, @code{smc91c111}, @code{lance} and @code{mcf_fec}.
+Not all devices are supported on all targets.  Use @code{-net nic,model=help}
+for a list of available devices for your target.
+
+@item -net user|tap|bridge|socket|l2tpv3|vde[,...][,vlan=@var{n}][,name=@var{name}]
+Configure a host network backend (with the options corresponding to the same
+@option{--netdev} option) and connect it to the emulated hub ("vlan") with the
+number @var{n} (default is number 0). Use @var{name} to specify the name of the
+hub port.
 ETEXI
 
 STEXI
