Managing your network interface with ethtool
NIC Check
© Lead Image © Sean Gladwell, Fotolia.com
If ping won't solve your network configuration issues, try ethtool, a powerful utility that lets you manage configuration settings for your network interface card.
The sheer volume of traffic on a super-busy and ever-changing production network makes any oddities very tricky to diagnose. Many of the more serious networking headaches are devastatingly disruptive to business operations. Additionally, the constantly changing nature of busy networks, coupled with the 24/7 attacks of varying competency, mean you need to know your stuff and maintain eagle-eyed diligence in order to catch issues.
If you're like me, though, you probably try to solve these kinds of issues in a simple and elegant way. To alter the network settings on a NIC (Network Interface Card), you have almost certainly used the now deprecated ifconfig command and its successor the ip command.
Another useful utility you can use to troubleshoot network problems is ethtool. The malleable ethtool isn't concerned with IP addresses, VLANs, and subnets. Instead, ethtool lets you manage and configure software drivers and hardware settings that control network interfaces.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.