Ok, So I have my box setup as a router/NAT with two different network cards. One for external connection(connected to the Cable Modem) one for internal connection(used for internal DHCP). It works perfectly when I manually activate the two interfaces after booting(both interfaces always show up as inactive after booting), then the DHCP server and firewall. I am confused, however, by which program has control of these interfaces.

First, there is the Network Configuration (System->Administration->Network), which is where I manually start the interfaces after rebooting. Both interfaces are set to "Activate when computer starts" in here.

Second, Network Device control(System->Administration->Network Device Control), which looks to be almost the same thing as the above.

Third, the NetworkManager applet(on the top bar) - both devices show up as unmanaged when I left click on this, but if I set "Controlled by Network Manager" in the "Network configuration" window(number one above), It still does not work.

Can I get rid of two of these programs, or is there some way to edit the startup scripts to start my ethernet cards before the dhcp server/firewall(which is shorewall BTW)?

Thanks

Hi and welcome to the forum. Try disabling NetworkManager and see if that helps. Run system-config-network, edit your interfaces and untick the "controlled by network manager" option.

Thanks for your reply; I did not realize that the "network manager" was a daemon, which I found out when setting the dhcp and firewall to start on boot. I simply disabled net manager startup, and enabled the network service on boot. Works like a charm now.