i am trying to have eth0 connected to eth1 on the same machine with a loopback cable. I have eth0 as 2.2.2.1 and eth1 as 2.2.2.2 with netmask 255.255.255.0 and the right Bcast 2.2.2.255 . I tried to ping -I eth0 2.2.2.2 and ping -I eth1 2.2.2.1. My issue is that even when the loopback cable is not plugged the ping still succeed( as if it is an internal ping). How can I force an external ping where I make sure the packets are going through the connected cable? ( I know I can have a router and both ethernets connected to it, but I am avoiding to use anything besides a simple cat 5 cable). Thanks.
2 Answers
I don't believe you can do that. Both interfaces are on the same network. So, the the kernel knows that. Also, the ARP information is on the host. I don't believe that you can force such thing especially at layer 2.
Layer 3 communication is something different, but, even that way, I don't see how you will force the TCP/IP stack of the kernel to ignore the fact that it knows everything that is required for the communication.
The only viable option if to force the interface to be up or down, depending on the cable status (plugged/unplugged).
Interesting question, I think this answer will be enough Force local IP traffic to an external interface
Your problem is just a specific case of that.
answered Oct 31, 2010 at 10:39
