Using ip addr instead of ifconfig reports “RTNETLINK answers: File exists” on Debian

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I have a Debian system working as a wireless router with eth0 and wlan0. Now I added an additional network manually on eth1 with ifconfig:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 192.168.0.2 netmask 255.255.255.0
alix:~# netstat -rn
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
0.0.0.0 192.168.2.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
192.168.2.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.3.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 wlan0
alix:~# ping 192.168.0.254
PING 192.168.0.254 (192.168.0.254) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=1 ttl=64 time=0.537 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=2 ttl=64 time=0.199 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=3 ttl=64 time=0.188 ms
^C
--- 192.168.0.254 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 3 received, 0% packet loss, time 2005ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.188/0.308/0.537/0.161 ms

Everything works fine as you can see.

Now I would like to make the configuration permanent. Therefor I added the following section to /etc/network/interfaces:


alix:~# sed -n '/iface eth1/,/^$/p' /etc/network/interfaces
iface eth1 inet static
 address 192.168.0.2
 netmask 255.255.255.0

But when I try to start the network I get the following error:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 down
alix:~# ifup -v eth1
Configuring interface eth1=eth1 (inet)
run-parts --verbose /etc/network/if-pre-up.d
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/hostapd
ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists
Failed to bring up eth1.

When I run the ip command manually I get the same error:


alix:~# ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists

What is wrong with the command? And how can I tell Debian to do the right thing?

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

add a comment |

up vote
50
down vote

favorite

I have a Debian system working as a wireless router with eth0 and wlan0. Now I added an additional network manually on eth1 with ifconfig:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 192.168.0.2 netmask 255.255.255.0
alix:~# netstat -rn
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
0.0.0.0 192.168.2.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
192.168.2.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.3.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 wlan0
alix:~# ping 192.168.0.254
PING 192.168.0.254 (192.168.0.254) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=1 ttl=64 time=0.537 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=2 ttl=64 time=0.199 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=3 ttl=64 time=0.188 ms
^C
--- 192.168.0.254 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 3 received, 0% packet loss, time 2005ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.188/0.308/0.537/0.161 ms

Everything works fine as you can see.

Now I would like to make the configuration permanent. Therefor I added the following section to /etc/network/interfaces:


alix:~# sed -n '/iface eth1/,/^$/p' /etc/network/interfaces
iface eth1 inet static
 address 192.168.0.2
 netmask 255.255.255.0

But when I try to start the network I get the following error:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 down
alix:~# ifup -v eth1
Configuring interface eth1=eth1 (inet)
run-parts --verbose /etc/network/if-pre-up.d
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/hostapd
ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists
Failed to bring up eth1.

When I run the ip command manually I get the same error:


alix:~# ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists

What is wrong with the command? And how can I tell Debian to do the right thing?

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

add a comment |

up vote
50
down vote

favorite

I have a Debian system working as a wireless router with eth0 and wlan0. Now I added an additional network manually on eth1 with ifconfig:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 192.168.0.2 netmask 255.255.255.0
alix:~# netstat -rn
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
0.0.0.0 192.168.2.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
192.168.2.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.3.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 wlan0
alix:~# ping 192.168.0.254
PING 192.168.0.254 (192.168.0.254) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=1 ttl=64 time=0.537 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=2 ttl=64 time=0.199 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=3 ttl=64 time=0.188 ms
^C
--- 192.168.0.254 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 3 received, 0% packet loss, time 2005ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.188/0.308/0.537/0.161 ms

Everything works fine as you can see.

Now I would like to make the configuration permanent. Therefor I added the following section to /etc/network/interfaces:


alix:~# sed -n '/iface eth1/,/^$/p' /etc/network/interfaces
iface eth1 inet static
 address 192.168.0.2
 netmask 255.255.255.0

But when I try to start the network I get the following error:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 down
alix:~# ifup -v eth1
Configuring interface eth1=eth1 (inet)
run-parts --verbose /etc/network/if-pre-up.d
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/hostapd
ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists
Failed to bring up eth1.

When I run the ip command manually I get the same error:


alix:~# ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists

What is wrong with the command? And how can I tell Debian to do the right thing?

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

I have a Debian system working as a wireless router with eth0 and wlan0. Now I added an additional network manually on eth1 with ifconfig:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 192.168.0.2 netmask 255.255.255.0
alix:~# netstat -rn
Kernel IP routing table
Destination Gateway Genmask Flags MSS Window irtt Iface
0.0.0.0 192.168.2.1 0.0.0.0 UG 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.0.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth1
192.168.2.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 eth0
192.168.3.0 0.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 U 0 0 0 wlan0
alix:~# ping 192.168.0.254
PING 192.168.0.254 (192.168.0.254) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=1 ttl=64 time=0.537 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=2 ttl=64 time=0.199 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.0.254: icmp_req=3 ttl=64 time=0.188 ms
^C
--- 192.168.0.254 ping statistics ---
3 packets transmitted, 3 received, 0% packet loss, time 2005ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.188/0.308/0.537/0.161 ms

Everything works fine as you can see.

Now I would like to make the configuration permanent. Therefor I added the following section to /etc/network/interfaces:


alix:~# sed -n '/iface eth1/,/^$/p' /etc/network/interfaces
iface eth1 inet static
 address 192.168.0.2
 netmask 255.255.255.0

But when I try to start the network I get the following error:


alix:~# ifconfig eth1 down
alix:~# ifup -v eth1
Configuring interface eth1=eth1 (inet)
run-parts --verbose /etc/network/if-pre-up.d
run-parts: executing /etc/network/if-pre-up.d/hostapd
ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists
Failed to bring up eth1.

When I run the ip command manually I get the same error:


alix:~# ip addr add 192.168.0.2/255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.255 dev eth1 label eth1
RTNETLINK answers: File exists

What is wrong with the command? And how can I tell Debian to do the right thing?

debian networking ip

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

asked Nov 9 '13 at 18:45

ceving

1,70421321

add a comment |

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

up vote
82
down vote

accepted

Sorry but I got it myself. I had to flush the device before bringing it up:


alix:~# ip addr flush dev eth1

Clearing manually set interface configuration information like this is mentioned in the Ubuntu Server Guide.

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

I still receive a (slightly different) error RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1 BUT my Eth1 is correctly assigned now AND is UP/UP.
– harperville
Sep 10 '15 at 14:11

yeah, same problem here: RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1
– Drew
Feb 21 '17 at 5:50

7

Even if your answers solves the problem. It would be great if you could tell what it actually does. What is this RTNETLINK file that exists?
– humanityANDpeace
May 17 '17 at 7:19

@ceving: please can you explain twhat is RTNETLINK answers file? Also, after flushing, my network card is not taking a new ip automatically, how to ask dhcp a new ip?
– realtebo
Aug 14 at 7:58

@realtebo @humanityANDpeace Inspect the kernel manual about netlink and rtnetlink. But I doubt you really want to know. This is an error message the ip tool gets from the kernel. And instead of translating the message into something useful for end users, ip passes it just through. But if you really want to know the internals, use the Ask Question instead of the Add Comment button.
– ceving
Aug 14 at 8:43

|
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1 Answer
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active

oldest

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1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

up vote
82
down vote

accepted

Sorry but I got it myself. I had to flush the device before bringing it up:


alix:~# ip addr flush dev eth1

Clearing manually set interface configuration information like this is mentioned in the Ubuntu Server Guide.

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

I still receive a (slightly different) error RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1 BUT my Eth1 is correctly assigned now AND is UP/UP.
– harperville
Sep 10 '15 at 14:11

yeah, same problem here: RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1
– Drew
Feb 21 '17 at 5:50

7

Even if your answers solves the problem. It would be great if you could tell what it actually does. What is this RTNETLINK file that exists?
– humanityANDpeace
May 17 '17 at 7:19

@ceving: please can you explain twhat is RTNETLINK answers file? Also, after flushing, my network card is not taking a new ip automatically, how to ask dhcp a new ip?
– realtebo
Aug 14 at 7:58

@realtebo @humanityANDpeace Inspect the kernel manual about netlink and rtnetlink. But I doubt you really want to know. This is an error message the ip tool gets from the kernel. And instead of translating the message into something useful for end users, ip passes it just through. But if you really want to know the internals, use the Ask Question instead of the Add Comment button.
– ceving
Aug 14 at 8:43

|
show 1 more comment

up vote
82
down vote

accepted

Sorry but I got it myself. I had to flush the device before bringing it up:


alix:~# ip addr flush dev eth1

Clearing manually set interface configuration information like this is mentioned in the Ubuntu Server Guide.

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

I still receive a (slightly different) error RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1 BUT my Eth1 is correctly assigned now AND is UP/UP.
– harperville
Sep 10 '15 at 14:11

yeah, same problem here: RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1
– Drew
Feb 21 '17 at 5:50

7

Even if your answers solves the problem. It would be great if you could tell what it actually does. What is this RTNETLINK file that exists?
– humanityANDpeace
May 17 '17 at 7:19

@ceving: please can you explain twhat is RTNETLINK answers file? Also, after flushing, my network card is not taking a new ip automatically, how to ask dhcp a new ip?
– realtebo
Aug 14 at 7:58

@realtebo @humanityANDpeace Inspect the kernel manual about netlink and rtnetlink. But I doubt you really want to know. This is an error message the ip tool gets from the kernel. And instead of translating the message into something useful for end users, ip passes it just through. But if you really want to know the internals, use the Ask Question instead of the Add Comment button.
– ceving
Aug 14 at 8:43

|
show 1 more comment

up vote
82
down vote

accepted

Sorry but I got it myself. I had to flush the device before bringing it up:


alix:~# ip addr flush dev eth1

Clearing manually set interface configuration information like this is mentioned in the Ubuntu Server Guide.

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

Sorry but I got it myself. I had to flush the device before bringing it up:


alix:~# ip addr flush dev eth1

Clearing manually set interface configuration information like this is mentioned in the Ubuntu Server Guide.

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

edited Jan 24 at 6:37

JdeBP

31.3k466144

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

answered Nov 9 '13 at 19:01

ceving

1,70421321

I still receive a (slightly different) error RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1 BUT my Eth1 is correctly assigned now AND is UP/UP.
– harperville
Sep 10 '15 at 14:11

yeah, same problem here: RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1
– Drew
Feb 21 '17 at 5:50

7

Even if your answers solves the problem. It would be great if you could tell what it actually does. What is this RTNETLINK file that exists?
– humanityANDpeace
May 17 '17 at 7:19

@ceving: please can you explain twhat is RTNETLINK answers file? Also, after flushing, my network card is not taking a new ip automatically, how to ask dhcp a new ip?
– realtebo
Aug 14 at 7:58

@realtebo @humanityANDpeace Inspect the kernel manual about netlink and rtnetlink. But I doubt you really want to know. This is an error message the ip tool gets from the kernel. And instead of translating the message into something useful for end users, ip passes it just through. But if you really want to know the internals, use the Ask Question instead of the Add Comment button.
– ceving
Aug 14 at 8:43

|
show 1 more comment

I still receive a (slightly different) error RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1 BUT my Eth1 is correctly assigned now AND is UP/UP.
– harperville
Sep 10 '15 at 14:11

yeah, same problem here: RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1
– Drew
Feb 21 '17 at 5:50

7

Even if your answers solves the problem. It would be great if you could tell what it actually does. What is this RTNETLINK file that exists?
– humanityANDpeace
May 17 '17 at 7:19

@ceving: please can you explain twhat is RTNETLINK answers file? Also, after flushing, my network card is not taking a new ip automatically, how to ask dhcp a new ip?
– realtebo
Aug 14 at 7:58

@realtebo @humanityANDpeace Inspect the kernel manual about netlink and rtnetlink. But I doubt you really want to know. This is an error message the ip tool gets from the kernel. And instead of translating the message into something useful for end users, ip passes it just through. But if you really want to know the internals, use the Ask Question instead of the Add Comment button.
– ceving
Aug 14 at 8:43

I still receive a (slightly different) error RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1 BUT my Eth1 is correctly assigned now AND is UP/UP.
– harperville
Sep 10 '15 at 14:11

yeah, same problem here: RTNETLINK answers: No such process Failed to bring up eth1
– Drew
Feb 21 '17 at 5:50

Even if your answers solves the problem. It would be great if you could tell what it actually does. What is this RTNETLINK file that exists?
– humanityANDpeace
May 17 '17 at 7:19

@ceving: please can you explain twhat is RTNETLINK answers file? Also, after flushing, my network card is not taking a new ip automatically, how to ask dhcp a new ip?
– realtebo
Aug 14 at 7:58

@realtebo @humanityANDpeace Inspect the kernel manual about netlink and rtnetlink. But I doubt you really want to know. This is an error message the ip tool gets from the kernel. And instead of translating the message into something useful for end users, ip passes it just through. But if you really want to know the internals, use the Ask Question instead of the Add Comment button.
– ceving
Aug 14 at 8:43

|
show 1 more comment

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