How to I connect my RHEL 5 box to internet?

[ravangrid]

Hi,

I am new to Linux. I am using RHEL 5. How should I connect my computer to the internet? My ethernet card is not getting detected.

My ethernet card is: Realtek RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC. But, that driver is not shown in the list of available drivers for ethernet.

I am using broadband internet connection (PPPOE).
IP Address: a.a.a.a
Subnet Mask: b.b.b.b
Default Gateway: c.c.c.c
DNS Server: x.x.x.x / y.y.y.y

I have downloaded the driver for my ethernet card from the website of the manufacturer. Its "r8168-8.012.00.tar" file.

I am completely new to Linux.
Can anybody guide me step-by-step about this problem (with commands if any)? I shall be really thankful.

Thanks in advance.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

The readme file included with the driver has step by step instructions and commands for installing the driver.

[MikeTbob]

This driver is built into the kernel or is available as a module in kernel 2.6.29 for sure, possibly lower versions too . Can you post the output of these commands please?

lsmod
ifconfig

You should be looking for a module named r8169, if you don't have it, try loading it.

modprobe r8169

If that fails then you could recompile your kernel rather than try to use the driver that you downloaded because every time you upgrade your kernel, you'll have to re-install the driver. Using built in drivers or modules, this is not a problem.

[ravangrid]

Thanks guys,

Thanks for your prompt reply. The tar file had instructions in it! I followed them but now my system is very very slow.

Kernel : 2.6.18-53.el5

Initially "lsmod | grep r8169" did not return anything.

The instructions and commands I typed in are as below:

#tar vjxf r8168-8.012.00.tar.bz2
#cd r8168-8.012.00
#make clean modules
#make install
#depmod -a
#modprobe r8168
#ifconfig -a
#ifconfig eth0 up

Then I entered my static IP addresses.

Upon booting, at one stage it says "bringing up interface eth0 [OK]"

But, then, the system sort of hangs at point,

starting cups (the print utility)
starting sendmail

The system hangs at this point. Although, after a long time, I get to the command prompt. But not the GUI.

Do I need a reinstall?
What should I do?

[MikeTbob]

I see that I made mistakes again, I misread your post and thought you had an 8169, but you have an 8168. It isn''t built into the kernel.


When you get the machine to the command prompt do you have internet connectivity???
I think the reason it hangs is because it isn't getting an IP address via DHCP.

[oz]

The r8169 driver has been working very well for my Realtek RTL8168/8111 onboard controller for almost a full year now. If you have the r8169 driver loading with your kernel, you might have some conflicts between it and the newly installed r8168 driver.

You can check this old Arch Linux thread where I was having the same issues as you a while back. I'd think most of it should apply to RHEL5 as well.

[MikeTbob]

very cool, thanks for the info ozar.

[ravangrid]

Hello Friends,

Thanks for your reply. I have installed RHEL 5.3 and the new kernel has detected my ethernet card.

I am a complete newbie to Linux. Now please tell me how to connect to internet. I have broadband connection. The service provider's name is "YouTele" and it provides installer for Windows only & does not provide support for Linux machines. (I want to completely shift to Linux).

In Windows, in Local Area Network Properties (TCP/IP Properties), I see that the "Obtain an IP address automatically" --> is disabled.
"Use the following IP Address" ---> is enabled with the following:

IP Address: a.a.a.a
Subnet Mask: b.b.b.b
Default Gateway: c.c.c.c

"Obtain the DNS Server address automatically" --> is disabled
"Use the following DNS Server addresses" --> is enabled with the following:

Preferred DNS Server: x.x.x.x
Alternate DNS Server: y.y.y.y

In Linux, I click on System->Administration->Networking. Now should I enter all these values? I tried but still its not getting connected to internet?

I am lost??

Still, thanks till this stage. I will proceed step by step.

[MikeTbob]

Did you try rebooting after you enter these settings? Have you tried using the "Obtain the DNS Server address automatically"? and "Obtain an IP address automatically is enabled?

[ravangrid]

Dear MikeTbob,

I tried the following 2 settings separately.

[1st Setting]

System->Administration->Network

In the device tab, I clicked on "edit"
Automatically obtain IP Address with dhcp : Enabled
Autmatically obtain DNS information from provider: Enabled

In the DNS tab:
Primary DNS: (I entered values)
Secondsay DNS: (I entered values)
Tertiary DNS: left blank
DNS server path: left blank

I saved the settings. Then clicked on deactivate device. It deactivated fine. Then I clicked "Activate Device". It gave error:

"Activating network device eth0, please wait
Determining IP information from eth0.... failed"

I rebooted the system. Upon rebooting, it says, "Determining IP info from eth0: [Failed]"

Again I see the System->Administration->Network. I see some new things now:

eth0
eth0.bak (this is new now)

On the Hardware tab, I see new things too:

Description Type Device Status
-------------------- ---------- -------- ------------ -------------
Realtek Semicondutor ethernet eth0 OK
r8169 ethernet peth0 configured

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[2nd Setting]

This time I selected "Statically set IP Address" and enter the Address, Subnet mask and default gateway. The settings in DNS tab are the same. Now I save the settings. I deactivated the device and then activated it. This time it gave no error. I rebooted the system. Upon booting it says

"Bringing up interface eth0: localhost: [OK]"

Status is also active now.
In connection preferences, I selected the eth0 and saw send and recived packets too.

But, the website is not opening. It says "looking for google dot com..."

I guess the 2nd setting with manually setting the static IP address works.
Anything wrong on my side?
Why is there on more device seen named eth0.bak?

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