Bug 525071 is referenced in the opening comment, which I think applies here. I do not have the hardware that the problem is showing up on, but I'd like to try the fix from 525071 and see if that fixes the problem. The patch in the anaconda git repository is 28bd273b78885b535c25fae6a20a964f21e77213. It ensures the network device is in the IFF_UP and IFF_RUNNING state before we check MII status or ETHTOOL status. Giving this one a devel ack so I can pull the patch in to rhel5-branch for anaconda.
Please try a tree with anaconda-11.1.2.200-1 when it becomes available and see if that solves the problem you are seeing.
Job in comment #10 passed. Moving to VERIFIED.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on therefore solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2010-0194.html