Topic: Realtek 8111/8168 (Intel D945GCNL) can't make it work

[lightman]

Hi
I'm trying to make work the onboard gigabit NIC of the Intel D945GCNL but no success.
lspci says:
Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co.,ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 01)

when I enter as admin, and try to set it up, it says UNKNOWN, I manually selected realtek 8168 from the list (closest to the bottom of it) but no sucess, it doesn't start.

what can i do before I try to return the motherboard and ask for an older model?
please help

[EDIT] I found the drivers in the realtek website but it seems that it requires to compile it, and I cant compile anything here, there is no source or compiler in SME server AFAIK.
can I compile it on another linux machine (a live distro for example?) and then copy the 8168.ko file?, or I'm talking bullshit .

thanks
Light

[TrevorB]

when I enter as admin, and try to set it up, it says UNKNOWN, I manually selected realtek 8168 from the list (closest to the bottom of it)

Have you tried the r8169 (which appears to cover the 8111B - from other distros).

Also if you want to do compiles etc., smeserver is based on Centos 4.4, so build a dev box (vmware) with that.

Trevor B

[byte]

smeserver is based on Centos 4.4, so build a dev box (vmware) with that.

SME Server 7.2 is actually based on Centos 4.5 See if that Network card is on the support Centos NIC list.

[lightman]

Have you tried the r8169 (which appears to cover the 8111B - from other distros).

Also if you want to do compiles etc., smeserver is based on Centos 4.4, so build a dev box (vmware) with that.

Trevor B

Hi Trevor
yes I have tried that driver,but no sucess.

the problem is, I already buy this motherboard, and I have the only 2 PCI slots available used (1 for the TDM400 card and 1 for the WAN nic, but I need a LAN nic to do  gateway mode )

I will try to compile the driver from a live distro, but even if I do that I have no idea how to make it appear in the driver list but, I guess i have to go step by step and see.

byte I haven't search if it's supported, It's already late for that since I already buy this motherboard I know i know, I should have check that first 

thanks
light

[Franco]

Hey I had the same problem, same motherboard!!!!
Bad news for you, I ended it up changing the mobo. I also had problem loading a graphical interface, the video card gave me a hard time (This will happen if you try using other distros as well, I tried Ubuntu and Centos5).
Some suggested me upgrading the BIOS, but I ended it up using a D945GNT instead and all is good now)

[lightman]

Hi Stuntshell

I downloaded centos 4.5 and try to install it so I can compile the drivers that I've downloaded from realtek website, but as you comment, video card is no good for centos 4.5

I didn't even get command prompt, (and I specifically set options for command line only during install), but still it loads some kind of graphical screen and that's the end of it, hang up pretty bad.

if I cannot even load the basic centos 4.5 there is not much to do, mobo is no good damn.
I'll give it a try with another mobo I have around here A7N8X-deluxe with a athlon xp 2800 (skt A) hope it works, still if both nic don't work i have pleny of PCI slots available  pity, i like this machine very much to get rid of it, but it's my last option.

thanks
light

[chris burnat]

Lightman, if time allows, would you post a bug report about the hardware incompatibility you are experiencing for documentation purposes.  It may help others. Thanks.
chris

[lightman]

Hi Burnat

I can do that but I have so little information, also bug report looks complicated, is there is any howto? to post a bug report properly

Finally using the A7N8X-Deluxe (3Com 920 and nForce2 MCP LAN) I was able to make it work properly.
3com920 was very stable but nForce2 MCP controller was not, the configuration page found it and I selected it, worked the first time and after reboot, eth1 == nForce2 MCP, was gone, after that, I can see it in the configuration page but doesn't start.

I tried ifup eth1 but no go, so it was time to add the old well known RTL8139 and everything is working now

I don't have anymore the A7N8X-Deluxe to do more tests on nForce2 MCP but I do have the previous Intel D945GCNL (82801, ICH7 with 8168 gigabit lan) to do some tests, if you want, tell me what would you like me to test and I can do it, it would be great if we can make it work.

Oh!, one other thing, just for the fun of it, I tried another mobo, Intel D945GCPE (82801, ICH7 but with RTL8101) and same problem, card isn't even detected.

let me know please if you want me to do some tests.
thanks
Light

[chris burnat]

Hi Burnat

I can do that but I have so little information, also bug report looks complicated, is there is any howto? to post a bug report properly

You need to register first, username password routine (top bar, login or whatever, I cannot see it, I am logged all the time...)
 Then you select:
- enter a new bug report
- SME Server Release 7.x

And provide details, do not worry about components, priority etc.

By the look of it, you have an unsupported piece of hardware.  Since SME runs on Centos ---> Redhat, you can check the compatibility lists  here:
-http://wiki.centos.org/HardwareList
-https://hardware.redhat.com/index.cgi

And get an idea of which hardware SME users have shown to work here:
-http://smolt.contribs.org

All the best
chris