[CentOS] Cannot set MTU != 1500 on Intel NIC

Fri Aug 20 16:10:39 UTC 2010
Gordon Messmer <yinyang at eburg.com>

On 08/20/2010 12:15 AM, Timo Schoeler wrote:
> 0d:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82573E Gigabit Ethernet
> Controller (Copper) (rev 03)

http://download.intel.com/design/network/specupdt/82573.pdf
   17 ASPM/Jumbo Frames Disabled Due to Early Receive Threshold Overrun
      Buffer
   Status: Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in the 82573
      Gigabit Ethernet Controller. Jumbo frames is not supported in
      82573E/V & is supported with the workaround above in 82573L.

You'll have to use different hardware.  The chipset you've got has a 
bug, and jumbo frame support is disabled as a result.