I have a abit-nf7s2g motherboard with builtin Via Technologies ethernet
controller. I cannot seem to get this working with suse's kernel version
2.6.5-7.97.

lscpi returns -
Ethernet Controller : Via Technlogies Inc., Unknown Device (3119) rev11"

Also no device is created /dev/eth-bus-pci-xxxx. I also tried to
/dev/MAKEDEV /dev/eth0 - returns with "don't know how to make device".

I am pretty sure I installed the right driver from viaarena's web-site.
the Sbridge integrated ethernet driver. Also, all the installation steps
(compiled, executable(.ko) created and installed "insmod" ) went
thru fine without any error.

How do I debug futhur? Shouldnt the kernel atleast recognise the
device, even if the driver is not installed correctly?

You've probably got the answer already, but the ethernet controller on your mobo isn't a VT3119 - it's probably a VT6122, since I've a VT6122 chip on my ABIT NF7-S2G mobo...

I have the same problem though, but it's simply because I'm a Linuxnewbie and don't know how to compile and install the driver I've downloaded from via.com.