Ubuntu annoyances

Networking

Deactivating and reactivating ethernet is not reliable.

example: For some reason I have an erroneous dns number. The interface is configured by Ubuntu to DHCP. I deactivate and reactivate the interface, no change. I disable the interface and re-enable it, and activate it, no change. I go to command line and run dhclient and it works fine. Huh?

The builtin dialup interface in Network Settings is unreliable (and does not have and easy way to diagnose errors), but disables the use of any other program, unless it itself is disabled.

On some boxes, using Network settings for wireless will not work to find a new access point. Command line tools can find access points, but not change the wireless settings. Disabling the wireless in network settings and then using the command line tools is sometimes the easiest option.

The solution to all of these issues is the same: disable the interface in Network Settings and go back to using the command line tools.