Ubuntu's "NetworkManager" is a pain in the butt if you want to do anything beyond simple DHCP.
fix it with this:
apt-get purge network-manager apt-get install wicd
WICD is not the ultimate, but it kicks butt on NetworkManager and touching the ever changing landscape of network setup files under Ubuntu.
How I miss Slackware!
I miss arguing with Patrick as well about including PAM modules :-)
Wish I could control the stability like I did back in the day with Slack.