Logging/Detecting connection of Ethernet cable

Raistlin · 30-08-2007, 19:46

Hey Guys,

Is it possible to log the connection of an Ethernet cable in my laptop's Ethernet adaptor?

Basically, I want to detect if a cable has been plugged in.

Thanks.

GeoffW · 30-08-2007, 20:50

A bit of overkill, but SNMP traps will do this for you, or you could poll ifOperStatus (MIB2)

Raistlin · 30-08-2007, 21:05

Ok, not sure how to implement either of those - like you say, they certainly sound like overkill.

What I'm trying to establish is actually whether or not the Ethernet loopback plugs I've built are functioning correctly (basicaly a standard Cat5 plug with pins 1 and 3 connected internally, and plugs 2 and 6 connected internaly).

This should (in theory) be sufficient to convince the adaptor that it's connected to a network.

GeoffW · 31-08-2007, 19:41

OK, I thought you wanted some sort of longer term monitoring on the interface.

The green led on the NIC will tell you if there is carrier, or you could do an ifconfig or netstat -i to get the interface status, or look in the network configuration gui.