How to configure network parameters for AutoYaST network installation

This document (3655724) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10

Situation

When network parameters such as speed and duplex cannot be configured through autonegotiation, they
must be set manually. The two possible scenarios in which this would have to be done are for network
installation via AuotYaST and for an existing installation.

Resolution

Network Installation

The ethtool boot parameter may be used to configure the network parameters for network
installation via AutoYaST. This boot parameter can be placed in an AutoYaST info file, or when
booting from the installation media, entered into the boot options field of the boot menu.

ethtool==

Where :

is the network device such as eth0, eth1, etc, or a device range such as eth[0-1] for both eth0 and eth1

are the desired parameters that would be used with ethtool.

For more information on ethtool and ethtool parameters, see man 8 ethtool.

For example, to set eth0 to 100Mbps Full duplex and turn off autonegotiation:

ethtool=eth0="speed 100 duplex full autoneg off"

It is also possible to set multiple interfaces to the same configuration with this parameter.

For example. to set eth0 and eth1 to 100Mbps Full duplex and turn off autonegotiation:

ethtool=eth[0-1]="speed 100 duplex full autoneg off"

This boot parameter only needs to be used once during installation for the setting to be persistent.

Existing installation

To make this change on an existing installation:

Edit /etc/sysconfig/network/ifcfg-eth-id-, where is the MAC address of the NIC you want to configure. If you don't know the MAC addres, you can use the ifconfig command to find which device (eth0, eth1, etc) is associated with which MAC. See man 8 ifconfig for more information on the ifconfig command.
Change the ETHTOOL_OPTIONS line from:
ETHTOOL_OPTIONS=''
to
ETHTOOL_OPTIONS='speed 100 duplex full autoneg off'

These changes will go into effect at the next reboot, restart of the network services, or by bringing the interface down and back up with the ifdown and ifup commands.

Additional Information

It is possible to verify the network settings with the ethtool command.

# ethtool eth1
Settings for eth1:
Supported ports: [ TP ]
Supported link modes: 10baseT/Half 10baseT/Full
100baseT/Half 100baseT/Full
1000baseT/Full
Supports auto-negotiation: Yes
Advertised link modes: 100baseT/Full
Advertised auto-negotiation: Yes
Speed: 100Mb/s
Duplex: Full
Port: Twisted Pair
PHYAD: 0
Transceiver: internal
Auto-negotiation: on
Supports Wake-on: pumbg
Wake-on: g
Current message level: 0x00000033 (51)
Link detected: yes

Disclaimer

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