Ethernet port consuming lots of power

[mps2006]

Hi,

I've noticed my laptop getting much hotter than normal recently, and having shorter battery life.

I've tracked it down to the ethernet port (00:19.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection (rev 03), driver is e1000e) which powertop says is the biggest single consumer of power at rates of 11.8 to 16.4W.

The port is not in use (I have no wired connection). The issue persists with all the recent kernels I have on my machine (2.6.40-4, 2.6.40.3-0, 2.6.40.4-5, 2.6.40.6-0). I guess this means it is a configuration problem?

Is there a way of powering down the ethernet port (since I don't use it?).

Thanks
M.