does anyone know if it is possible to install a new ethernet card driver remotely? i have a colocated machine that needs a new driver, and i don't want to have to drive half an hour to fix it if it breaks. i know modprobe -n should test the installation, but i don't know how bulletproof that is. additionally, issuing a command like:
$ ifdown eth0;modprobe eepro100;ifup eth0;ifconfig <ip>;
makes me very nervous, especially from a remote location. is there a fool-proof way to check a driver installation without actually bringing down the eth configuration and doing it? any help is greatly appreciated!

The problem with performing any remote network modifications is that if something doesn't work or if you do something in the wrong order... you lose the remote connectivity that is allowing you to connect at all.

I would suggest duplicating the setup you currently have on a local system. Test the following procedure on that local system. Write a script to make the changes you want to change and then restart your networking. Also write a script that will set things back the way they were.

when logged in remotely, first set up a cron job to run in like 30 minutes or so to set things back the way they are now and restore network connectivity. Then execute the script for your changes. If the changes work, good. If not, then 30 minutes later you should get your network back to try it again.