[Bug 82803] Network config tool breaks /etc/network/interfaces

[skotti]

Public bug reported:

Description:
Enabling a wireless adapter causes the networking tool to write incomplete/invalid data into /etc/networking/interfaces.

Involved hardware:
Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (rev 0.2)
Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)


Output from /etc/init.d/networking restart:
root at wintermute:/etc/init.d# ./networking restart
 * Reconfiguring network interfaces...                                                                                                                         /etc/network/interfaces:14: too few parameters for iface line
ifdown: couldn't read interfaces file "/etc/network/interfaces"
/etc/network/interfaces:14: too few parameters for iface line
ifup: couldn't read interfaces file "/etc/network/interfaces"

Reproduction:
- open network config tool, i find three unnamed devices listed
  * wireless
  * cabled
  * modem
  cabled is checked and working (RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+)
- add a profile name, e.g. "Homebase", click the ok-button 
- configure the wireless adapter: SSID, WEP, KEY, DHCP, close dialog
-> Progressbar appears

After the progressbar closes all network connections are non functional
and there is no way returning to a working configuration using the
Network tool.

More things i tried:
- Adding another WLAN adapter that is known to work out of the box (orinoco driver) 
  * Adapter is detected and listed as eth2, configuration fails
- Restoring cabled network by entering static ip information
  * No go, none of the adapters work

Sample of a working /etc/network/interfaces:
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp

Sample of a defective /etc/network/interfaces:
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

auto eth2
iface eth2 inet dhcp

auto ath0
iface ath0 inet dhcp

auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp


iface eth0 inet 
address 192.168.1.4
netmask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.254


auto eth0

** Affects: gnome-system-tools (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Medium
     Assignee: Ubuntu Desktop Bugs
         Status: Unconfirmed

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Network config tool breaks /etc/network/interfaces
https://launchpad.net/bugs/82803