Network Connection Icon
 

I was wondering if i could get like an icon that appears in my system tray that gives me information about my computer's ethernet connection much like windows has.

It depends on which Desktop Environment you are running. For example on my KDE environment, I use "kinternet" which displays a pair of connected plugs and a kind of electric light when transferring data.

i have kde how do i run kinternet?

First you have to install it. Try to look for it in your usual software management, then you will see it from the main menu under applications -> internet. Or you can always launch it from command line typing simply kinternet. By default it will be sticked in the system tray at every reboot, unless you explicitly close it.