Installing a Network Driver

azncrazycooler · 09-26-2005, 01:40 AM

Sorry guys if this is a repost, but im completely new to the linux operatiing system. I just got installed and i have no background infomation of this.

But something that didint pre installed with my linux is my networking driver. I downloaded a networking driver from my manufacturer, which was broadcom 440x and i have no clue what to do with the file they gave me since its not an exectauble like windows drivers. Any help would be appreciated.

P.S I also followed the instructions in the readme file but it came out with an error says unable to write into a specfic directory. Sorry i dont have the exact error messages because i had to come back to windows to find some help. (running a dual boot)

slzckboy · 09-26-2005, 02:01 AM

i'm guessing here but if you did

./configure ;
make;

make install then the last command

make install must be done as your super user account?

If somethings not letting you write to a particular directory then its a permission thing.

musicman_ace · 09-26-2005, 02:07 AM

if you want to disregard to manufacturers driver and use the in kernel driver:

as root

cd /usr/src/linux
make menuconfig
Choose "Device Drivers", "Networking Support" ,"Ethernet 10/100"
Place an 'M' beside "Broadcom 4400 ethernet support
exit and save the changes
make modules && make modules_install

now you should be able to modprobe b44 and then aquire an IP address from the network. Acquiring the IP may require you to type dhcpcd eth0

* In kernel driver is marked as experimental in the 2.6.11.x release, I'm not sure if it is stable in newer kernels.

Snowbat · 09-26-2005, 12:52 PM

azncrazycooler which distro are you using? Mandriva 2005 (for instance) already has b44.ko as a module ready to load so would not need make menuconfig make modules && make modules_install as described by musicman_ace.

azncrazycooler · 09-26-2005, 01:24 PM

I am using red hat 9.0, and the network drivers were not pre-installed.

How do I login as root ?

slzckboy · 09-26-2005, 01:45 PM

when you install your operating system one ofthe first things you would have been requested to do is set a super user (root) password.
hopefully you commited it to memory or scribbled it down

type su (return)

and then enter your super user password at the prompt.

good luck.

azncrazycooler · 09-26-2005, 02:15 PM

im stilll have some issues
when i used the "modprobe" command, it said command not found????

slzckboy · 09-26-2005, 02:21 PM

and you did it as root right i.e you have the # sign at the command prompt?

if so the do a locate modprobe .

mine is in /sbin/modprobe

azncrazycooler · 09-26-2005, 02:21 PM

nevermind, i foudn my answer, needed to login as "su -"

Snowbat · 09-27-2005, 05:23 AM

So now you can do

Code:

modprobe b44
dhcpcd eth0

or if you're using static IP addresses on your network:

Code:

modprobe b44
ifconfig eth0 192.168.1.2

To have this running on boot, add the following line to /etc/modules.conf

Code:

alias eth0 b44

Adjust the configuration in /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 or use GUI tools to do same.

dustin.kerber · 09-29-2005, 10:07 AM

I am also new to linux, and was looking for some advice. I am attempting to use a live cd of knoppix, and was wondering how to install drivers for a Atheros Communications AR5211 wireless a/b/g card. I would really appreciate your help. Thanks.