It's actually backported
http://packages.debian.org/lenny-bac.../firmware-bnx2

Add backports lenny to repo, then use live-cd for network,
apt-get update
apt-get install firmware-bn2
If you have to use sudo then
sudo apt-get

I installed a few months ago, and can't recall now exactly how I installed, although I think it was using a burned DVD, so not sure I ever had the ethernet detecting/functioning properly.

I have installed the firmware-bnx2 package and rebooted, but the ethernet controller is still not detected.

Also, I have been to http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl/DELL where there are many entries listed for Dell Latitude D600 configurations that use a Broadcom 57xx controller that works with Debian using the tg3 driver from kernel 2.6.25 onwards (am pretty sure from memory that mine is a BCM5705). See for example:

http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl/DELL/D600
http://kmuto.jp/debian/hcl/DELL/LATITUDE+D600

You should atleast read this 1.
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ubuntu-403644/

I saw your earlier post with that reference and read that thread, however:

- I am trying to troubleshoot this issue before looking for a workaround/alternative as the existing Broadcom controller is integrated (ie the advice there to avoid Broadcom devices is redundant in this case) and I would need to add another card if I can not get the existing one to work
- the site I referenced above and the many corresponding pages for the Latitude D600 suggest the tg3 driver should work
- the above site could have old/outdated information, so I installed the bnx2 package as you suggested, although this has not resolved the issue

http://packages.debian.org/lenny-bac.../firmware-bnx2 suggests the firmware-bnx2 package is for NetXtremeII controllers. I don't believe my controller is a NetXtremeII and it also has a model number (5705, I think) that is not listed at that web page.

Is there a particular liveCD you suggest I use to:

- detect the ethernet controller and confirm its properties (eg model number)?
- follow the suggestion you made re the backport of the bnx2 driver?

Debian has a live cd Ubuntu desktopversion is live also, but ubuntu is easier to find. Does your wireless work?

Here are instructions for t3 that you mentioned.
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-b...-installation/

This from http://wiki.debian.org/DebianInstaller/FAQ:

Q: Why isn't my NIC supported by DebianInstaller, I know the "tg3" driver supports it!

A: As tg3 contains firmware which does not seem to meet the requirements of DFSG (the Debian Free Software Guidelines), a decision was made to remove the driver from debian packaged kernels (more information here and here (239952). Now this has mostly been resolved with a version of the driver that does not contain such firmware and should work with most cards. You should not have problems with the latest version of the installer.

And from the Broadcom Ethernet NIC FAQs:

What are the Linux tg3, bnx2, bnx2x and b44 drivers?

To better support users, Broadcom has been actively supporting, maintaining, and testing the in-kernel Linux drivers for the NetXtreme, NetXtreme II, NetLink and 4401 product lines. The following is list of drivers supported for each product line:

* NetXtreme and NetLink - tg3
* NetXtreme II - bnx2 1G
* NetXtreme II - bnx2x 10G
* 4401 - b44

Broadcom officially releases the Linux drivers as packages. The Linux driver packages released by Broadcom are based on the latest in-kernel drivers with some added compatibility code to make it backwards compatible with most 2.6 kernels and some 2.4 kernels (generally newer than 2.4.24). If you are using the latest upstream kernel from www.kernel.org, you generally do not need to download the Linux driver packages from Broadcom as the latest upstream kernel has the latest Linux driver patches.

For the NetXtreme and NetLink product lines, the tg3 driver is now the only Linux driver that Broadcom supports. Accordingly, Broadcom has discontinued support for the bcm5700 driver and no longer provides updates.

Dell lists the ethernet controller in the Latitude D600 as simply Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller. I suspect it is either a NetXtreme or NetLink as I am reasonably confident its model number is 5705 and the laptop is now quite old (purchased around 2004).

I will follow the instructions at http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-b...-installation/on Linux Broadcom Ethernet Card driver installation of the tg3 driver.

Will provide a further update on whether this works.

---------- Post added 03-19-11 at 04:33 PM ----------

I am also trying to get the wireless working. No success yet but still working on it.

Your quite right. It should at least detect the controller. Try 'lshal' and post its output. Read your dmesg file, no broadcom lan.
My friend had Dell latitude and lan didn't work on WindowsXP even with drivers installed from internet. Original drivers were missing. But it worked fine on default Linux install. Don't remember whether it was Ubuntu 8.04 or Debian lenny.
Try Ubuntu/Fedora liveCD to check if hardware works properly.

lshal

Attached Files

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