SUSE Linux (SLES9) network error
Posted in How To, SUSE Linux | By AhTim @ April 23rd, 2008
Today, one of my SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES9) encounter network error. The problem is the server and client can’t ping each other.
After checked the Cat5 cable using network tester, it shows the cable is working fine. Since the server already run for more than a year without my attention, I should ignore on the driver and OS part. But I still double check on its driver and protocol. I ping to itself and read though the event log file. After all, I found no error on software side. Hence, I suspect it was due to hardware problem, especially network card (NIC) error.
Configure the Network Card (NIC)
To make it work with minimum configuration, I decide to replace it with the same model network card. After boot up the system, it auto detect the NIC without any error. Now, I should put back its original TCPIP settings, including its IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS server name.
Since SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES9) is so stable, I have not touch it for about 1 year! Sometime, I even forgot about its existence. Opps… now I forgot what is the command to configure the NIC! 
It was a shame to forgot this simple command as a network administrator. :p
After search from Internet, I have found the command to configure the NIC.
ifconfig eth0 192.168.0.1 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.0.254
I hope by sharing this info here, I will not forget it if same thing happen again next year. 
Within seconds, my SLES9 box is up and running again.
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Tags: Linux, Network Card, network error, Novell, Operating system, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
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June 1st, 2008 at 10:44 am
You should run “yast lan”, or edit by hand the “ifcfg-eth-id-*” files located at “/etc/sysconfig/network/”, using just “ifconfig”, your configuration won’t survive a reboot….
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
@Ciro: Thanks for the hint. I’ll try that command if it happen again.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:54 am
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