How to See Ethernet Card Settings in Ubuntu

Ubuntu offers a free alternative to mainstream operating systems, placing a fully-featured graphical interface over the low-level Linux kernel. The traditional command-line approach works for most tasks in Ubuntu, though you may find the point-and-click method more familiar and intuitive. The Linux program Ethtool reads your Ethernet card settings and displays them in a command-line window, while the Connection Information applet shows these settings in a graphical window. These tools make your Ethernet ports, link modes, speed, IP address, subnet mask and other information easy to access.


Instructions
1. Click the “Network” icon in the system tray, and choose “Connection Information” from the drop-down list.

2. Click the “Wired Connection” tab. Observe the information in the General section, which shows Ethernet speed, driver type and hardware address, and in the Internet Protocol section, which shows IP address, subnet mask and Domain Name System information.


3. Press the “Windows” key, which is located between Ctrl and Alt on the left side of the space bar, to open the Unity Dash. Type “Terminal” and press “Enter” to launch a Terminal window.

4. Type “ifconfig -a | grep eth” (all lower case, without quotes, here and throughout) to see the name of your Ethernet interface. If you only have one Ethernet connection, the default name is "eth0."

5. Type “sudo apt-get install ethtool” in the Terminal, and then press “Enter.” Type your password when prompted, and press “Enter” to download and install Ethtool.

6. Type “sudo ethtool ethX” to display Ethernet information -- including supported ports, link modes and port and tranceiver types -- in the Terminal window. Replace “ethX” with the name of your Ethernet interface.


Tips & Warnings
Type “ifconfig ethX” in the Terminal. Press “Enter” to see broadcast, packet and collision information related to your network.



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