live Boot any linux distro to console

Question

Is there any .iso linux image distro that boots into console and not into x?

I just want to run some simple linux commands like ethtool

alternatively, I would like any boot cd that let me test the physical connection of a NIC.

Thanks.

Answer 1

http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page

Answer 2

Knoppix will do it with the knoppix-txt kernel boot label. See Knoppix Cheat Codes.

Answer 3

Most Linux Live Distributions provide an option to boot into text mode.

Here is a good option for sysadmins.