ethtool cannot set new setting:Invalid argument

[James Yang_2]

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

[Steven E. Protter]

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

[Ivan Ferreira]

What is the output of ethtool eth0?

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

[James Yang_2]

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

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

[Ivan Ferreira]

Can you try one by one?

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

[Ivan Ferreira]

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.