how can i shutdown the PHYSICAL interface of an ethernet interface

markraem · 04-12-2007, 04:36 AM

I would like to shutdown the physical interface of an ethernet interface, without disconnecting the cable that is connected to this interface.

Basically, I would like to shutdown the LED of the ethernet interface.

If I do

ifconfig eth2 down

then the IP address is removed from the routing table, but the LED is still blinking on the interface.

same for

ip link set eth3 off

how can I switch the interface off (so simulate a cable cut ?) without really disconnecting the cable ?

Ghost_runner · 04-12-2007, 06:42 AM

You can't, as far as I know. Your led (activity or link light) is normally on, even if power is turned off at the machine. Newer computers often have the ability to wake on lan, meaning that the NIC must be able to be accessed, even with power off.

dracolich · 04-12-2007, 02:29 PM

If your ethernet device's driver is compiled as a module, as opposed to builtin, you could try unloading the driver with the modprobe -r command.