usb0 Connection DHCP Problem

[Bob Cvengros <rcvengr2 illinois edu>]

Hi,
   I am trying to tether an embedded device running linux to my PC using the g_ether usb ethernet gadget. I am running the DHCP server on the device side and have been having trouble getting the PC to acquire an address properly. I've got it boiled down to a conflict between NetworkManager (v 0.7.0.100) and the /ect/network/interfaces file on the PC side. When I uninstall NetworkManager and appropriately setup the interfaces file the connection works perfectly i.e. the PC can acquire the IP address each time I reconnect the physical usb connection after a disconnect.  If I comment out all of the relevant lines in the interfaces file and just use the network manager it seems to work well too. The problem is when both sides are setup to handle the usb0 connection. The symptoms are that the usb0 connection will only sporattically connect and most time only connects for a few seconds and then dies.

   Why does NetworkManager seemingly conflict with the interfaces file? Shouldn't they work together? Also, my goal is to build a connection that automatically connects the device to the PC without actually having to set it up manually through NM's "Edit Connections...", is this possible? If so than I can probably just forget about the interfaces file.  Also I am interested in solving this same problems with a Windows based PC, so if someone can offer details on how NM actually handles the connection that would be great so that I can get it working for that environment as well. Sorry if this is redundant or simple, I don't have a lot of experience with all of this. I appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Bob