Setting hardware address for NIC

[mongrel]

This is my problem:
I'm using a tulip-based NIC and the hardware address is being reported incorrectly: 00-00-00-00-00-00. I thought that I could correct this using ifconfig, but I cannot seem to get the syntax correct. I get an error message "host not found". The correct driver is being loaded at boot, and all other info for this card is correct, ie: I/O address, and IRQ, however the hardware address is being reported incorrectly so DHCP is not working and I get no network access.

I'm using the RH7.091 beta "wolverine", they do have a statement saying that this is a known problem but I cannot seem to find a fix there either. Any help is greatly appreciated. Wolverine is pretty solid other than the NIC issue but that is totally unacceptable. I'd really hate to have to re-install 6.2 again. :confused: :confused: :confused:

[pbharris]

the hardware address is stored in an EEPROM or flash on the device, this can be changed using JTAG or if the card vendor has a tool you may be able to this or write a driver which can do this. If there is another way to do this I don't know of it...

If this is an OS issue i would be pretty suprised, but strnager things have happened, a unique hardware address is pretty basic and required by 802.3

[ 01 March 2001: Message edited by: pbharris ]

[Lorithar]

*hmms*


ifconfig ethx hw ether ab.cd.ef.01
replacing the ethx with the interface name, and ab.cd.ef.01 with the correct mac will work if the card driver can do it... unfortunately it is dependent on the driver having access to the right parts of the card.

I've never had to do that to a tulip card, but to a ne2000 I have .. and on the ne2000 it worked ..(isa)

[mongrel]

I know the hardware address is hardwired on the card by the vendor. I don't want to change it there. Linux is reporting an incorrect hardware address. The address it is reporting is 00-00-00-00-00-00, when the actual address is 00-A0-CC-5B-98-89. It is loading the correct driver but it cannot setup the card correctly due to the incorrect address. I want to change it in the OS not on the card.

[Muzzafarath]

I have this "problem" with my DLink DFE-530TX. If I boot into Windows and then into Linux, I get a MAC of all zeroes. If I shut down the computer with the button on the back and then boot straight into Linux, the MAC shows up correctly and everything works. Try pulling the power cord out of the computer, then plugging it in and then booting straight to Linux. That works for me (well, I only need to do it if I have been using Windows). If that doesn't help, I recommend getting a new card :p

[mongrel]

I finally got it fixed! It seems there was a bug in the kernel that Red Hat was using, that's why it's still in beta stage I guess. I downloaded the updated kernel from Rawhide and can happily say that I'm posting this from Wolverine :D :D
This is really sweet so far.