Network Card Madness

[Scatman420]

Hello,
I have a NIC card that is not being able to get activated. I have located exactly what chipset it is and it is the "RTL8139". Now, if you didn't know, linux provides this module. So I load the module to 'eth0', try to activate, and it says its not present and initializtion will be delayed. Help would be appreciated.

Scatman

[geepod]

Well you havent really given much info (*nix flavour, vendor of card) have you tried the faq's or support form eithrs website ?

Try this.
download the driver
rtl8139.c

compile:
The instruction for compiling the driver is include at the
end of the driver file. (run this instruction at
/usr/src/linux)

insert the driver as module:
insmod rtl8139.o
parameter can be added by adding options=..... behind the istrruction
0x16(bit 4):full duplex
bit 0-3 :default port
(run 'lsmod' to see if the module is inserted)

bind your card to an IP address

/sbin/ifconfig eth0 ${IPADDR} broadcast ${BROADCAST} netmask ${NETMASK}
(run 'netstat -i' to see if there is a interface 'ne0')

add your card to IP routing table, then add gateway also
your card:
/sbin/route add -net ${NETWORK} netmask ${NETMASK} eth0
(should be able to ping local network now)
gateway:
/sbin/route add default gw ${GATEWAY} netmask 0.0.0.0 metric 1
start inet deamon.
/usr/sbin/inetd
(you are on the network now)

*make sure that your kernel is built with network, fast_ethernet and module
support. Otherwise, you have to rebuild your kernel.
(1:go to /usr/src/linux directory
2:run 'make menuconfig' or 'make config'
3:mark the options list above.
4:exit and rebuild your kernel.
make dep;make clean;make zImage
the file 'zImage' will be at /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/zImage
5:modify /etc/lilo.conf.(this file specify where kernel image is)
6:run 'lilo' )

You cna run 'netconfig' which will do step 4,5,6 for you. This will create
'/etc/rc.d/inet1' and 'inet2' files. These two files will run at boot time.
Then just add a line at the beginning of 'inet1'.
'insmod /your driver'path/rtl8139.o'

[Scatman420]

OK! that sounds great. Do you think there is anyway for me to load the module without dl'ing the source code stuff. Also, even if I did get my card loaded, would I have to do all that stuff anyways to get on the net?

Scatman

[geepod]

Well if your internet connection is network based then of course you will need to get it sorted , if you have a direct connection then that is nothing to do with your network card unless of course u go through router etc ?

you are obviously on the net anyway cos you are chatting in here so what is the problem with downlaoding the cource ?

[Scatman420]

Nothing, So let's say i dl it here in windows. Save it to a disk, and bring it back to linux. Would that file system work? Also, I was reading on this site and it told me I need to load the 'drive.o" module or something first. What's that about. Or should I just load my module.

Scatman

[geepod]

i am a bit confused ! so i take it you have a multiboot cos your in windows, fine then download it and place it on a fat partition or floppy disk etc as long as u know u can access it under linux (what file sytem ?).

Do you not have a wizard for configuration as it doesnt sound like your too confident with loading modules etc (didnt mean that to be derogatory) just dont want you f****** up your system.

i am sure the vendor of your *nix flavour will have some docs for this prob on there site ? or on realtek's site ?

[Scatman420]

Geepod,
No worries man! I finally figured it out! Well sorta. I loaded another NIC card (ACCTON) and low and behold. She's alive. In fact im writing this in linux as we speak. I'm a happy man geepod, a happy man indeed. Thanks.

Scatman

[geepod]

not a problem glad you got it sorted, also for future refence it wasnt really a *nix security issue so make sure you post in the right forum, some people get funny about posting etiquette etc but not a problem.

live well and love life