wicked controlled interfaces activate IP addresses only if a carrier signal was detected

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 1 (SLES 12 SP1)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 2 (SLES 12 SP2)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 Service Pack 3 (SLES 12 SP3)

Situation

As of SLES 12, wicked controlled network interfaces are started with their IP address only if a carrier signal was detected but in some situations (e.g. automated tests) it is desired to have an IP address listening on a network device even if no carrier signal is available.

Resolution

Please add LINK_REQUIRED='no' to the respective /etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-* file.

Cause

By default wicked uses LINK_REQUIRED='yes' when setting up the devices and waits indefinitely for a carrier signal before assigning an IP address.

Additional Information

Please see

man 5 ifcfg

for details on LINK_REQUIRED control option.

Disclaimer

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