Cable state in application

Raniz · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 11:57 pm Post subject: Cable state in application

I'm writing a system monitor in Python and I wan't to check whether an network interface is plugged in or not.
Is there any way to do this? I've noticed messages in both dmesg and /var/log/messages when I plug the cable in and out. But that doesn't help me.

I'd also like to know whether it's full/half duplex or even simplex and the speed of the connection too.

eweneb · n00b Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 39

You need mii-tool; it should give you everything you need.

"mii-tool -v eth0"
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"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clark

"Any unnecessarily advanced technology is indistiguishable from masochism." -- Eric B. Ewen

MrUlterior · Guru Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 511 Location: Switzerland

ethtool is better
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Misanthropy 2.0 - enough hate to go around

Raniz · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:37 pm Post subject:

I'm too fond of executing an external program. mii-tool/ethtool must get their information from somewhere...

eweneb · n00b Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 39

Actually, MrUlterior was correct: ethtool is better; mii-tool is being deprecated.

You should pull down the ethtool source and read it and/or contact the author for further information.
_________________
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clark

"Any unnecessarily advanced technology is indistiguishable from masochism." -- Eric B. Ewen