So it seems that there is an easier way to switch the network settings.
Create a new network location (I called mine “Wired Reset”). Switch location to “Wired Reset.” Hit Apply. Switch back to “Automatic.” Good news is that this can be accomplished via AppleScript. I know there are more elegant ways to script system preferences, but I tried another and it didn’t reliably work.
The script
tell application "System Events"
tell application "System Preferences"
activate
reveal pane id "com.apple.preference.network"
end tell
tell window "Network" of process "System Preferences"
tell pop up button 1
click
pick menu item "Wired Reset" of menu 1
end tell
delay 1
click button "Apply"
end tell
tell window "Network" of process "System Preferences"
tell pop up button 1
click
pick menu item "Automatic" of menu 1
end tell
delay 1
click button "Apply"
end tell
quit application "System Preferences"
end tell
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