Normally the website of the Linux distro in question best answers these kind of queries. For Red Hat 9, go to
http://www.redhat.com/software/rhl9_hcl.html
The list of NICs found there is as follows:
Network cards
3COM -- 3C905/B/C; D-Link -- DFE-530/+; Realtek -- RTL8029, RTL8139, RTL8139C+, RTL8169; IntelÑEtherExpress Pro 100/1000; Netgear -- FA310TX, FA311TX; Linksys -- LNE100TX; Silicon Integrated Systems -- SiS900; Intel -- DE4x5/Tulip series; GigE -- Broadcom Tigon3, Intel e1000, NatSemi NS83820, Realtek RTL8169 VIA - Rhine
My network uses 3COM 3C905C-TX (Etherlink 10/100 PCI card) and all distros seem to support it right from install.
Terri