getting red hat server ver 9 on the network
 

in red hat server 9 I am trying to setup the nic card as root but the apply button is always grayed out as if I don't have permission. but I am logged in as the superuser

Red Hat Server 9 reached end of life in 2004 or so.

Maybe try a newer release?

If you really mean RedHat 9 as per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Ha...ersion_history, then indeed forget it.
Its long out of date, so security, interaction with other systems and HW drivers are all going to be issues.

Go with RHEL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Hat_Enterprise_Linux BUT note that RHEL is a paid for distro ie you pay for updates & support (phone/email).

Alternatively, go for Centos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CentOS, a free rebuild of RHEL; includes updates but not support.

HTH

It's probably greyed out because your ancient OS doesn't have the driver for your modern NIC card. If you search on-line for "linux nic drivers" you will probably find a site from which to download it, but using such an old OS is a problem (if not a crisis) waiting to happen.

If you MUST!!!! use a antique rh operating system that has not been supported for 12 years for a old unsupported program
( think of trying to use windows 95 or 3.1 TODAY )

Then use a VM and run the old out of date antique program in a VM on the old antique OS