Linux Force or restart network card auto-negotiation with ethtool

ethtool or mii-tool utility checks or sets the status of a network interface’s Media Independent Interface (MII) unit. Most fast ethernet adapters use an MII to autonegotiate link speed and duplex setting.

Due to software or hardware (network switch or Ethernet card ) error it may be possible that you need to restarts auto-negotiation on the specified ethernet device.

Restart autonegotiation

You don’t have to reboot Linux box, all you have to do is type the following command :
# ethtool -r eth0
Or you can use mii-tool (outdated, use ethtool only)
# mii-tool -r eth0
Output:
# tail -f /var/log/messages

Jul 16 09:34:25 smtp1 kernel: e1000: eth0: e1000_watchdog_task: NIC Link is Up 10 Mbps Full Duplex
Jul 16 09:34:25 smtp1 kernel: e1000: eth0: e1000_watchdog_task: 10/100 speed: disabling TSO

See also:

• Linux add ethtool duplex settings to a network card permanently

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