topic Re: ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument in Operating System - Linux

ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

James Yang_2 — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 11:39:50 GMT

OS: RedHat Linux enterprise 4
Server: BL20P

I want to set NIC to be autoneg off speed 1000 duflex full by

>ethtool -s eth0 speed 1000 duplex full autoneg off

But I receive Cannot set new setting: Invalid argument

Re: ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

Steven E. Protter — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 12:26:10 GMT

Shalom James,

Try it without the -s

Also, make sure that the switch port settings supports 1000 BaseT before you start, otherwise all you will get is a core dump and a headache.

SEP

Re: ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

Ivan Ferreira — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 13:04:25 GMT

What is the output of ethtool eth0?

I think that the -s parameter should be specified according to the man page.

Re: ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

James Yang_2 — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 16:08:18 GMT

Must with -s to set options. Will not take without -s.

The BL20P using bcm5700 driver. Is there anthing to do with the driver?

Re: ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

Ivan Ferreira — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 01:35:49 GMT

Can you try one by one?

eth0 -s eth0 speed 1000
eth0 -s eth0 duplex full
eth0 -s eth0 autoneg off

Re: ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

Ivan Ferreira — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 01:46:48 GMT

Also, It seems that the use of autonegotiation with 1000BaseT is mandatory:

Although auto-negotiation can be disabled for
100BaseTX or 10BaseT connectivity, it is always required for normal
1000BaseT operation.

The IEEE 802.3ab specification does not allow for forced mode 1000BASE-T with autonegotiation disabled running at 1000 Mbps. As a result, many switch vendors do not support forced mode.