Solaris hmeconfig

Provided by Jay Kreibich <jak@uiuc.edu> with help from Gian-Paolo Musumeci

This is a Perl5 script that allows an administrator to change the link modes used by the Solaris "hme" Fast Ethernet controller. Using hmeconfig, a super-user can quickly and easily force a machine to a specific link mode (e.g. 100Mbps, full-duplex).

The script is presented as-is and is not supported by CITES Workstation Services Group.

This is a beta version, and does not automatically save any config files that maintain state across reboots. We are hoping to add this in a future version. The current version will, however, spit out a block of text that can be pasted into the /etc/system file. This editing must be done by hand.

Here is a quick summary of all the hmeconfig commands:

# hmeconfig ?

USAGE: hmeconfig [ <HME#> ]
        - displays configuration for one or all hme interfaces.

       hmeconfig <HME#> force auto-neg
                        deny
        - forces or denys the use of auto-negotiation

       hmeconfig <HME#> enable  100-full
                        disable 100-half
                                10-full
                                10-half
                                all       # all of above
                                MII
        - enables or disables various link modes

       hmeconfig [ <HME#> ] system
        - generates text for /etc/system file

The quick and dirty way to force your machine's hme0 interface to 100Mbs / full-duplex is:

# hmeconfig hme0 enable 100-full
# hmeconfig hme0 deny auto-neg
# hmeconfig hme0 disable 100-half
# hmeconfig hme0 disable 10-full
# hmeconfig hme0 disable 10-half
# hmeconfig hme0

hme0: using RJ-45 at 100 Mbps full-duplex
  * RJ-45 Hardware supports:  auto-neg, 100-full, 100-half, 10-full, 10-half
  * Auto-negotiation is: OFF
  * Enabled modes:  100-full
  * Link Partner supports:  UNKNOWN - interface not in auto-negotiation mode

WARNING: hmeconfig works by taking the interface down, making any changes, and then attempt to bring it back up. It may not work, so you are advised not to use hmeconfig from a session connected through the interface you are configuring.