No network on my released kernel 5.4.28 Realtek driver

[Featherfoot]

Portage just updated my kernel to genkernel-5.4.28 and I updated my system to run it. This system boots, but there is no network.

I believe the problem is in a funny message that I saw near the end of the kernel build to the effect that systemd could not be found. Any ideas on how to get this problem fixed?

[Hu]

sys-kernel/genkernel is not numbered that way. Do you mean sys-kernel/gentoo-sources? With the information you provided, it is rather difficult to help you. If you switch back to your prior kernel, does the network function correctly? What exactly did the "funny message" say? Is this a systemd-based system? What kernel version were you using before? Did you change any of the kernel configuration options? In the non-working system, is the NIC detected? Is this a wireless or wired network?

[Featherfoot]

Sorry. I was typing in Mint and didn't have easy access to my gentoo stuff..

I emerged kernel gentoo-sources-5.4.28. I am using genkernel. I eventually switched back to kernel 4.19.97 and it works.

The message was that systemd could not be found. There was more to the message. This is a openrc based system, so I was surprised that the message showed up. Then the message disappeared into the bit bucket.

The network I am using is a wired network. I did an ifconfig and the only thing showing was lo. This is the ifconfig from 4.19.97

[Featherfoot]

Here is the message I discussed:

[agent_jdh]

It sounds very likely that you are having the same problem as me. Do you have Realtek r8169 based card(s)?

My server has two.

The systemd messages from genkernel are probably a red herring. I get them as well, but don't use systemd.

It looks like new Gentoo stable kernel (5.4.28, was 4.19.97), now requires Realtek firmware from package linux-firmware. After emerging the firmware, I can manually modprobe the r8169 driver (I had to rmmod it first).

Unfortunately, the associated dmesg output does not actually say which firmware is loaded. They are located in /lib/firmware/rtl_nic

They need to be built into the initrd, either by adding the relevant options in the kernel configuration (make menuconfig), or by modifying /etc/genkernel.conf to pull in the files.

But I don't know what files I need!

The cards I have are rtl8169e, and an rtl8110s. So I think I need at least rtl8168e-1.fw, rtl8169e-2.fw, and rtl8168-3.fw.

I've not fixed this yet but I'll repost if I do.
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Jingle Jangle Jewellery

[Featherfoot]

I do have Realtek chips on my motherboard. I thought linux-firmware was emerged, so it is surprising that this is an issue.

I did try to reboot my system and dmesg showed that r8169 was not loaded.

[agent_jdh]

Yeah just installing linux-firmware doesn't fix it. The firmware files need to be in your intramfs.

I've still not solved this.

I've tried to use make menuconfig and /etc/genkernel.conf (my server is still using genkernel-next, not genkernel 4), but genkernel gives me errors saying the files are not there, so maybe it's just a configuration thing. I'll look at this tomorrow.

I may also try building the Realtek driver into the kernel, instead of as a module.

Possibly change the thread title to include Realtek?
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Jingle Jangle Jewellery

[Featherfoot]

I set the option to load the r8169 driver into the kernel and it worked!

Thanks for your help.

[agent_jdh]

How did you do this? Mine's not working when I use genkernel.

Posting the exact solution would be good as I'm sure others are having this issue as well.
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Jingle Jangle Jewellery

[vasettoo]

No need for linux-firmware to be emerged on r8169 driver based NICs, just build it (NOT as a module) in the kernel with genkernel - namely [ * ] and not [ M ].

[agent_jdh]

[rufnut]

I still have r8169 as a module, just needed to build in "realtek_phy", not as a module.