Ubuntu networking headache

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fritzdeelman

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Feeling pretty frustrated this afternoon. Trying to set up an Ubuntu box to connect up to my network proved quite a challenge. This is normally such a simple task so I do not understand why I am getting these problems. Using the SystemRescueDisk I managed to set up my network interface using ifconfig and I mounted network shares without any hassles.

Ubuntu proved to be a different kettle of fish altogether. I have given up for the day and will tackle the problem again tomorrow. I am however a bit surprised having seen how many people log the exact same problem as I had on numerous forums and not seeing a single tip that could lead me to a solution. This problem occurred while I was trying to convince someone that he should give Linux some serious consideration. Well I think I achieved exactly the opposite!
 
On a clean install with the basics done, it took me only minutes to connect to a network with both Windows and Linux machines, then play network games on Cedega..... I've never had any networking problems of such kind. Only if I broke my network config files of course.
 
Was this just a rant, or do you actually want help?
 
+1. Sounds more like a hasty complaint nagging feeling than a plea for help.
 
I actually switched over to ubuntu at work because it had such a painless network setup. Two ticks and a buckfsck as my dad would have said. Much faster and easier than suse
 
This was not a plea for help and a bit of a rant. I have given up on forums as a troubleshooting tool. My aim is rather to use the threads I start to share my experiences so that I can contribute to the knowledge base. What normally happens on forums like these is that you get people sending you on wild goose chases. The problem as I see it is that Ubuntu/Linux does not provide adequate tools for troubleshooting and there is no method to the madness. I have confirmed that my network card is installed (lspci). It seems to be set up one hundred percent correctly, I statically assigned an IP and confirmed this using ifconfig, yet I can't ping any other machine on the network. What puzzles me is why would this task be so easy with one distro and prove neigh impossible on another?
 
What you are describing proves to me that you did something you are not supposed to. Pretty much you "forced entry" to the network. That way you won't be able to ping anyone else on the network...

Also, some people on the forums will take offence at your rant because the majority of us actually help more than we don't manage to help.
Ubuntu and Linux in general does provide a heck of a lot more troubleshooting information than Windows. There is virtually no difference to using a network in one distribution and another. Sure, commands in the terminal might be different, but the programs you use are display-manager-dependant and as such I was as easily able to setup my networking in Suse as I was in Ubuntu.
 
Is this wired or wireless you are trying to get setup? If you are getting an IP from the AP, what I might check is the gateway file on your ubuntu box. I can never remember the name of the file off hand but it resides in /etc somewhere.
 
Then post a link to the thread where you share your interesting experience?

You know that the regulars here are very active on international forums, like the Ubuntu, Gentoo, etc. forums...
 
Ubuntu is really easy to setup on the network. I only had one problem so far with a certain make of network card. It just did not want to go on the network.

I found that it had to do with a dodgy Wakeup on Lan (WOL) implementation by the manufacturer. I got around it by starting the laptop with the network plug not plugged in and then only plugging it back in once it is logged in.

There is probably a fix for it now since it happened (stil using 7.10) but it works and I have not got around to looking for a "proper" fix.

A better description of your setup (ubuntu version, lan or wan, etc.) would help us if you still want our help.....
 
What chipset are you using (lspci -vv)?
What do you see in the /var/log/messages and dmesg command output?

Lets start there, and then narrow it down.
 
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