NIC card on HCL list, but it's not talking. Why?
Hi, I just finished installing Solaris 10 (11/06) onto my computer. The whole installation installed without errors. Afterwards, I went to the log files and saw that everything seems to have installed OK.
After rebooting, I logged in with the CDE environment. Everything appears normal.I editted my /etc/hosts file accordingly. I hooked up this new Solaris x86 system onto my network. The NIC card is not talking. I can't ping from this new Solaris x86 PC to another system on the existing, working network.
My NIC card is the D-Link DFE-530TX+
This card is on the approved hardward compatibility list.
I have installed Solaris x86 in the past on many PC's without running into this type of problem, until now. Anyone knows what could be causing this problem, or how to know that my NIC card is being recognized by the Solaris x86 system, and how I can make this thing work?
Do you think I need to install additional drivers to make this particular D-Link NIC card work? If so, how do I install it? Thanks in advance.
# 1
Does it show up in ifconfig -a
# 2
ipconfig -a gave the following result:
lo0: flags=2001000849<UP,LOOPBACK,RUNNING,MULTICAST,IPv4,VIRTUAL> mtu 8232 index 1
inet 127.0.0.1 netmask ff000000
Also, I went to the following link at http://homepage2.nifty.com/mrym3/taiyodo/eng/
and it talked about this NIC on choice #4, but do I need to install the driver rf-1.1.0.tar.gz to make this NIC work?
# 3
D-Link used chipsets from multiple vendors on that model "530" card.
(spend some time mucking through the D-Link web site to realize that)
They just stuck their D-Link name onto it.
Shut down the system and remove it.Find out who actually made the card.
If the chipset needs that driver, then YES you need to install it.
If the chipset is something else, then you need whatever driver is correct.
# 4
Is there a NIC that is widely being sold in stores now that will work without needing to install drivers? It would be much easier for me just to go out to the stores and pick up a new NIC.
I live in Silicon Valley, so I can go to stores like Fry's Electronics, Best Buy, MicroCenter, etc.
Also, I already tried using Intel PRO/100 S and the 3COM Etherlink 10/100 PCI (3C905C-TXM). I downloaded a software from SUN, made a bootable CD, and when it scanned my PC, it says that likely my hardware will be compatible with Solaris 10. Yet,
At the beginning of the installing, I see messages like:
Using RPC Bootparams for network configuraton information.
Attempting to configure interface elx10 (or ipbr0)
Skipped interface elx10 (or ipbr0)
Does this mean the NIC won't work?
# 5
My Solaris 10 x86 system is running on an old 440BX Slot-1 Pentium-III.
I've used the 3C-905TX and it was recognized and configurable immediately.
I currently have an old DEC DC21140 10/100 card in it, which was also immediately recognized.
Both of those cards have worked on Solaris x86 7, 8, 9, and 10.
I got the DC21140 card at a local flea market, swap meet, used equipment event for $1.00
(the 3COM card cost me $2.00).
The Realtek 8139 chipset family would be a viable inexpensive choice, as well.
Realtek produces drivers directly, if the OS doesn't recognize it natively.
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/
# 6
The boot notation, " skipped interface elxl0 ( or ipbr0 ) does NOT .. NOT .. mean that your NIC was not recognized. Actually, it probably means that your network card WAS recognized and configured.
Getting around some of the rather strange remarks and notations in Solaris is a lesson in itself and many of these notes can be very misleading.
The initial boot sequence may show your NIC as being " skipped " but it will probably show up later on as being configured. Run the setup and do not be misled.Good luck ....... John.
