Unable to call LinkStatus() withoput previously calling begin()

[FRUKGit]

Was testing some things on the Arduino Opta, there is a example program that use Ethernet.h to check the link status however I've found that this doesn't work as the init of the ethernet shield is done inside of a call from Ethernet.begin().

Ideally I want to be able to check if there is a cable plugged in with linkstatus() before calling begin() so I dont have the blocking DHCP timeout.

Ideal outcome will be that linkstatus() would check to see if the required init has been completed and if not call it.

[JAndrassy]

you can set the DHCP timeout as a parameter of begin().

btw for OPTA maybe better use Mbed Ethernet with the Ethernet library bundled with the Mbed core and my W5500-EMAC driver library.
https://github.com/Networking-for-Arduino/W5500-EMAC