To configure network settings in Kubuntu for automatic IP and DNS address assignment, the interface must be set to use DHCP. This involves editing the /etc/network/interfaces file, where users should add the lines "auto eth0" and "iface eth0 inet dhcp" for wired connections. After making these changes, the network manager must be restarted using the command "service network-manager restart." If issues persist, it is advisable to check with the university's IT department for potential network restrictions. Users experiencing connectivity problems should first determine whether the issue is hardware or software-related by testing with a Ubuntu live CD. If the network interface works in the live environment but not when booted from the hard drive, the problem likely lies in the configuration. For those using the KDE desktop, the Network Manager can be accessed through "System Settings," which provides an intuitive interface for managing connections. If Network Manager is not installed, it can be added via Synaptic or the Software Manager.