Reset Networking to Default Values

Question

Reset Networking to Default Values

I've been experiencing some ethernet connection issues after my workplace installed some software on the network to block intruders via mac address.

My problem is that I cannot connect via ethernet either using DHCP or with a fixed IP address.

The network guy says that he's removed any blocks of my mac address on the network and is now saying that it's my MBP.

Is there a way to reset ONLY the network settings for my machine back to the way they would be set upon a clean install of Leopard without doing a complete reinstallation of the whole operating system.

Help would be appreciated

Regards,

-jP

iMac 1.25 G4 and MBP 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.6), iLife '08

Posted on Mar 31, 2009 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 9:22 AM in response to James Palmer2

Is there a way to reset ONLY the network settings for my machine back to the way they would be set upon a clean install of Leopard without doing a complete reinstallation of the whole operating system.

yes.

In the Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ folder you would delete the following:

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
NetworkInterfaces.plist
preferences.plist
com.apple.nat.plist

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Answer 2

Mar 31, 2009 9:27 AM in response to Tim Haigh

Will these files then be re-created when I go into my NetWork Settings?

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Answer 3

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 9:28 AM in response to James Palmer2

Will these files then be re-created when I go into my NetWork Settings?

Yes.

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Answer 4

Mar 31, 2009 9:33 AM in response to Tim Haigh

To be on the safe side, could I rename them?

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Answer 5

Mar 31, 2009 9:33 AM in response to Tim Haigh

To be on the safe side, could I rename them?

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Answer 6

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 9:36 AM in response to James Palmer2

To be on the safe side, could I rename them?

you could just append .bak to eachfile name. If you want.

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Answer 7

Mar 31, 2009 9:50 AM in response to Tim Haigh

One of the files that you mentioned isn't present -

com.apple.nat.plist

Could that be my problem?

Also - I'm having trouble renaming the files. Stating insuff... priv..when I try to rename but I've set Sharing and Permissions for the files to my id (I am an admin) with "Read & Write".

Message was edited by: James Palmer2

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Answer 8

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 10:05 AM in response to James Palmer2

One of the files that you mentioned isn't present -

com.apple.nat.plist

Could that be my problem?

no I dont think so, that file is created when you enabled internet sharing so if it is not present then its nothing to worry about.

Try this Quit system preferneces, then drag those files to your desktop. Then delete the files from the original location.

Then reopen your network preferences.

then

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Answer 9

Mar 31, 2009 10:19 AM in response to Tim Haigh

Was able to rename the files - had to change folder privileges.

Noticed that the NetworkInterfaces.plist didn't get created after I renamed to NetworkInterfaces.plist.bak

In any case, still not able to access the internet using an ethernet connection in my office.

Back to the network guy. Thanks for your help and patience.

Regards,

-jP

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Answer 10

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 10:28 AM in response to James Palmer2

Was able to rename the files - had to change folder privileges.

It is not a good idea to change the privileges of system folder. I suggest your repair your disk permission in the disk utility.

The resetting of your network preferences may not have been the solution to your problem but you have rules that out.

You need to check other things.

When you connect to your office network does it assign you with an IP address, what is it? What dns server does it assign you?

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Answer 11

Mar 31, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Tim Haigh

I reset the folder privileges back to their original state (removed my ability to read and write)

Using DHCP

When I plug my ehternet cable in, the IP address that I receive is

169.254.144.97

and there is the message that states "Ethernet has a self-assigned IP address and may not be able to connect".

Using a fixed IP address, with all the parameters provided to me from my IT guy, I get the indication that I'm connected, but still can't access the internet.

All of these settings that I've tried have been with and without a restart.

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Answer 12

Mar 31, 2009 10:46 AM in response to Tim Haigh

It is not a good idea to change the privileges of system folder.

I suggest your repair your disk permission in the disk utility.

Noted and performed - Thanks

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Answer 13

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 10:47 AM in response to James Palmer2

have you tried a different network cable? Can you confirm that your mac has connected to other networks?

When you have configured a fixed IP address can you ping your router?

use your terminal issue the command

ping -c10 routerip <press enter>

replace routerip with your actual router ip

Do you get a response?

try pinging the bbc

ping -c10 212.58.224.138

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Answer 14

Mar 31, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Tim Haigh

Tried a different cable. Same result.

Used a cable going to a working machine from the same ethernet port, same result.

Go to a different port in my office and connect without any trouble.

replace routerip with your actual router ip

Do you get a response?

100% packet loss

try pinging the bbc

ping -c10 212.58.224.138

100% packet loss

Here's the wiring config.

Share an office with another individual.

There's one ethernet port to the office. Have a small 5 port hub connected and then three machines connected from the hub, two windows desktops and my laptop.

This configuration has worked like a champ until last week when the IT guy installed some network software that determined that my MBP was an "intruder", and I got blocked.

He has stated that he has since removed any restrictions to the network based on my MAC address, but I still can't connect. He lays blame on my MBP.

Typical.

Message was edited by: James Palmer2

Message was edited by: James Palmer2

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Answer 15

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Mar 31, 2009 12:34 PM in response to James Palmer2

Go to a different port in my office and connect without any trouble.

So your ethernet port on your mac does work.

He has stated that he has since removed any restrictions to the network based on my MAC address, but I still can't connect. He lays blame on my MBP.

If you had mentioned this in your original post then this is what we could have focused on. This is likely the problem.

I am unable to offer any more help unless I had access to the IT security on the network. I cannot confirm what your IT has or hasnt done.

But in your defense you can tell IT that your mac works on another port and it was working until you were blocked. Throw the ball back in their court.

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