Description of problem: The link status determined using ethtool is wrong for NICs in VMs (e.g. kvm VMs set up using virt-manager on stock F16 host). virtio, e1000 and rtl81xx nic types are at least affected Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): F16 host F17 guest How reproducible: Alway Steps to Reproduce: 1. Setup F16 host, setup F17 guest 2. Ensure that the IF in question is not configured, so ifconfig … down the IF in question if neccessary 3. ethtool … reports link not connected Actual results: ethtool … reports link not connected Expected results: ethtool … should report connected (if it's connected to a bridge) Additional info: This is can also be observed on RHEV guests
The interface has to be brought up before the link status can be checked: $ ifconfig $IF up $ ethtool $IF