Network Connection: Ethernet NIC cannot be auto-detected
 

Hi guys,

I have difficult in detecting and install the proper NIC on my linux. Here is the scenario, I have two computers:

Main Computer (WinXP, DSL connected to Internet)
Laptop (WinXP, Fedora Core 6, connected to main computer via ethernet cable)

The NIC for the laptop that I've identified (via WinXP info) is:

Realtek RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gibabit Ethernet NIC

However, then I try to add a new device in Network configuration in FC, I can only find Realtek RTL8129 (older version) and I cannot active it (either not supported or because I didn't setup the proper port and I don't know how).

Please give me some guide and many thanks!

RMS :D

Hi

I have this very same chip on a GA-945PL-S3 motherboard. There are drivers / kernel modules that Realtek (the chip manufacturers) provide that you can try with this LAN chip. However, one of the two available driver options seem buggy as I could not get this chip working reliably in the 2.6.18.1 kernel on the above motherboard under Fedora Core 6.

I eventually gave up and installed an older 8139 PCI NIC since I just HAD to have network connectivity and I don't need gigabit-level LAN speeds, and the 8139 has a native kernel module that works 100%.

If you want, drop me a line at spamnot@<removethis>polard.com and I'll send the drivers to you. I've got one that's commonly available off the drivers section of their website (the one that doesn't work...) and one they sent me after I contacted them about the problems I was having getting it to work. I don't know if this second version is commonly available - I haven't been able to test it yet, but I think it might actually be some form of release-candidate for the other version I have that doesn't work right... I haven't been able to test this second one since my setup is now working after turning off the 8168 onboard in the BIOS and installing the older 100MBit 8139...