I can't repeat any problem.
I have been unpluging/plugging both RJ45 and mini USB.
RJ45
Switch lights 2 green = 1000Mbit/s
Maybe autonegotiation played a trick
Only differens from earlier is that a put a gigabitswitch(GS108) at my desk ie short cable to Sheeva.
GS108 had no problem to get 1000Mbit/sec. It's a GS105 in the other end.
Sheeva
Nov 8 14:09:29 sp879 kernel: eth0: link down
Nov 8 14:09:38 sp879 kernel: eth0: link up, full duplex, speed 1 Gbps
Nov 8 14:10:03 sp879 kernel: eth0: link down
Nov 8 14:10:08 sp879 kernel: eth0: link up, full duplex, speed 1 Gbps
Nov 8 14:10:21 sp879 kernel: eth0: link down
Nov 8 14:10:29 sp879 kernel: eth0: link up, full duplex, speed 1 Gbps
USB
Mounted a memorystick and created a file
Mounted same on host and verifed that file existed
I noticed that the mini usb is a loose fit
ethtool
ethtool eth0
Settings for eth0:
No data available
How do I get ethtool running
On the model I just tested, both yellow and green lights on the ethernet port light up when connected; the speed of the connection does not cause different lights to appear.
I wasn't entirely clear about the problems that you were reporting, but I hope I understand you correctly that those problems are no longer present.
The serial port connection isn't the tightest, and some people have managed to dislodge the connector accidentally. One one or two models that I have tested, the hole in the plastic case isn't lined up perfectly, but I haven't seen any where the plug doesn't fit, or is so loose as to fall out.
On the other hand, I have experienced difficulties from time to time with establishing serial connections from my Ubuntu host. That is to say, after I upgraded to Karmic Koala a few days ago, I am seeing only one serial port; it looks like the same issue reported
here. And I very often have experienced line drops when inserting (most commonly) a wireless stick into the Sheevaplug (a stick that I have yet to get working, as it happens). I assume that some kind of voltage drop is occurring when the device is inserted, and the line is dropped. However, since the line but can be immediately re-established, I don't consider this a problem (and even if it were, it's not certain that it would be an issue with the plug, it could be the host).
I wonder if the reason ethtool doesn't work on your system is related to the kernel. I've done a lot of searching (and I'm sure you have too); I found exactly that question posed (but not answered)
here. Provisionally, I think we have to say that the answer is no, it doesn't work.
Please let us know if you have any outstanding questions or problems.