wbellman
asked on
3c59x: Auto-detects, boots, but can't see the outside world.
Problem:
I am trying to get a Linux server up on the network, simple enough I know. I have a 3c905B ethernet card. Install autodetects the card and at boot the card appears to work great, but when I get to a prompt, I can't ping any other machines on my network. I have checked and rechecked my static IP number, DNS, Netmask, and Gateway and they all are correct. ( I've also had someone else double check my numbers, so I am 99% sure I have everything configured properly. ) I have also tested with other 3c905B cards (2) and both had the same results. Any clues?
Machine Specs:
P166, 2GB SCSI Hard Drive, Adaptec 2940, S3 Trio (some really generic v-board), and a 3c905B 10/100m-bit card.
I am trying to get a Linux server up on the network, simple enough I know. I have a 3c905B ethernet card. Install autodetects the card and at boot the card appears to work great, but when I get to a prompt, I can't ping any other machines on my network. I have checked and rechecked my static IP number, DNS, Netmask, and Gateway and they all are correct. ( I've also had someone else double check my numbers, so I am 99% sure I have everything configured properly. ) I have also tested with other 3c905B cards (2) and both had the same results. Any clues?
Machine Specs:
P166, 2GB SCSI Hard Drive, Adaptec 2940, S3 Trio (some really generic v-board), and a 3c905B 10/100m-bit card.
ASKER
The plot thickens friends. I tried an old NE2000 compatible in said machine and it detected and booted just fine. Even better if I assign the P166 an existing IP number I get a conflicting IP message on the machine that owns that IP number.
The DOS 3c90xcfg,exe tool finds, configures and tests the card perfect. The card lights show that it is receiving traffic and the hub its attached to shows signal.
I am still not willing to rule out that possibility that I messed something up.
If anyone has heard of this please please please let me know. Even if you've seen something remotley related, lemme know...
The DOS 3c90xcfg,exe tool finds, configures and tests the card perfect. The card lights show that it is receiving traffic and the hub its attached to shows signal.
I am still not willing to rule out that possibility that I messed something up.
If anyone has heard of this please please please let me know. Even if you've seen something remotley related, lemme know...
You MUST turn off the 3c905B's PnP support. You have to use the DOS config program to do that. After this, it should work. If not, you may need to specify the correct media type in /etc/conf.modules.
ASKER
Tried that... same results. Also that doesn't explain the NE2000 not working... That's an old ISA card. Both cards work in a P75 linux test station I have setup. Thanks though.
Do you have a 100mbit network? Then the NE2000 shouldn't work. Consider that a feature :)
ASKER
It's a 10baseT network... I've even swapped mother boards... the only thing that origional in that case is the Diamond Stealth V-Board ( didn't realize it was a stealth ), CD-Rom, memory, and the Floppy. I've built a ocuple Linux boxes since then that work great, but this one... I am starting to believe in curses and gremlins.
Could you post all commands you use to setup your network adapter?
ASKER
Just the standard from install, RedHat 5.1:
It detects the 3c59x Vortex ( or is able to autoprobe the NE200 ).
THen I enter my network info... the machine finishes up install... it resets... Everything looks good on boot. Yet there is no network.
It detects the 3c59x Vortex ( or is able to autoprobe the NE200 ).
THen I enter my network info... the machine finishes up install... it resets... Everything looks good on boot. Yet there is no network.
You DID make a new kernel for each network card you tried ?
The support for each card has to be compiled into the kernel first.
Andres
The support for each card has to be compiled into the kernel first.
Andres
ASKER
This is RedHat 5.1... it's kernel has all the drivers necessessary to use the 3c59x cards. I know this personally because I have built five stations with 3c59x cards in them. Like I said it *finds* the card. It *initializes* the card but on this one workstation it *can't* see the network, but it can knock other machines off the network if I sets it's IP identical to another machine on the network.
Wow! Have you guys ever heard about the ifconfig and the route program? Guessed so!
Here's how to fix it [type this at the prompt]:
>ifconfig eth0 <your ip-number> up [return]
>ping <your ip-number> [return] (does it work? Of course!)
>route add default gw <your gateway's ip-number> eth0 [return]
>ping <your DNS's ip-number> [return] (did this also work? If so you are mr Happy)
Here's how to fix it [type this at the prompt]:
>ifconfig eth0 <your ip-number> up [return]
>ping <your ip-number> [return] (does it work? Of course!)
>route add default gw <your gateway's ip-number> eth0 [return]
>ping <your DNS's ip-number> [return] (did this also work? If so you are mr Happy)
ASKER
Let me restate. *None* of the networking commands work on this box. The only reason I know that it's dimly aware of the net work is the ability of the machine to knock other people off the network if you assign it a similar IP.
Sorry about that! What about making an boot-disk with a different kernel?
ASKER
Haven't tried, but the kernel shouldn't be the problem... I am installing witha store bought copy of linux 5.1 and it has worked well on about seven machines, now, with similar configurations. Like I said I think this case is posessed... I have swapped out everything... The only thing that remains the same today are the CD-Rom, the Video Card, and the Floppy Drive... Insane, huh? ( In fact I am writing this on Netscape in Linux now... ) I convinced my boss to let me develope java on a linux box and it rules. *Death to the Microsoft opressors! Solidarity brothers!* Actually I am ready to scrap the machine... It's been sitting in my office...dormant...for days now. Oh well. If you can think of anything lemme know.
3C905B (Cyclone) cards are not yet fully supported under Linux. The OS does see them but the network is not truely up. If you notice upon boot, the mac address will be FF:FF:FF:FF.
I'de suggest downgrading to a 3C590 (Vortex) or a 3C905 (Boomerang).
Intel Pro 100 cards are also nice and work reliably
I'de suggest downgrading to a 3C590 (Vortex) or a 3C905 (Boomerang).
Intel Pro 100 cards are also nice and work reliably
ASKER
You guys need to read *all* of the comments *before* you answer. I have built ( and am in fact working on one of ) several workstations that *have* the exact same card. In fact the origional #com card that was in that case is driving our CVS server without error!
The machine has already been reallocated and is working ( under protest ) and a Windows 95 workstation.
The machine has already been reallocated and is working ( under protest ) and a Windows 95 workstation.
Are your routes setup correctly? Please post them, by typing "route -n".
On another machine on the same network, do
tcpdump arp
and see if you can spot the gratuitous ARP packet emitted when the machine you're trying to set up configures its network interface.
Is it conceivable that you had the wrong netmask or broadcast address configured?
tcpdump arp
and see if you can spot the gratuitous ARP packet emitted when the machine you're trying to set up configures its network interface.
Is it conceivable that you had the wrong netmask or broadcast address configured?
ASKER
I've only installed ten times and had four different people check my numbers. Like I said the case is haunted.
Did you try to install utils from sunsite.unc.edu/pub/linux site there some util for your network card this may help your problem do you have in /etc/system/network-script s ifcfg-eth0 with IP address ?
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