---
name: "ifport"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "pcmcia-cs"
version: "3.2.8-9"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ifport"
---

# ifport(8)

select the transceiver type for a network interface

## NAME

ifport - select the transceiver type for a network interface

## SYNOPSIS

**ifport** *interface* \[**auto**\|**10baseT**\|**10base2**\|**aui**\|**100baseT**\|**##**\]

## DESCRIPTION

**Ifport** sets the transceiver type for the specified network interface, for drivers that support multiple independent transceivers.  If a type is not  specified on the command line, then the current type is displayed.  The type can be specified either numerically or by keyword.  The five standard transceiver types (**auto**, **10baseT**, **10base2**, **aui**, and **100baseT**) correspond to codes 0 to 3, for all the Linux PCMCIA network drivers. The keyword match is case insensitive.

The network drivers may not reconfigure a card for a new transceiver type if the interface is already open.  It is best to invoke **ifport** prior to configuring the interface with **ifconfig** to ensure that the new setting takes effect immediately.

This utility only works with a limited set of 16-bit PC Card drivers: **3c589\_cs**, **nmclan\_cs**, **pcnet\_cs**, **smc91c92\_cs**, and **xirc2ps\_cs**.  It also only works for certain cards that require manual transceiver selection.  If invoked for other drivers, **ifport** may report bogus transceiver settings, or report \`\`Operation not supported''.  Most modern 10/100baseT cards use a \`\`Media Independent Interface'' (MII) chip that automatically selects between 10baseT and 100baseT modes; this sort of transceiver can be manipulated using the [**mii-tool**(8)](/mii-tool/8.md) command.

## DIAGNOSTICS

- **ioctl: Operation not supported**

  Indicates that this network device does not support manual transceiver selection.  There may be only one transceiver option, or the device may autodetect the appropriate transceiver.  Or the card may have an MII interface.

## AUTHOR

David Hinds - dahinds@users.sourceforge.net

## SEE ALSO

[ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md), [mii-tool(8)](/mii-tool/8.md).