Dell 2950 Server and Broadcom NetXtreme II BCM5708 NICS

[Sum1]

Trying to commence installation and can't get started due to the ethernet devices.
I boot
I do modprobe bnx2 several times(the proper module for these ethernet devices)
I have a dhcp server on my LAN and try net-setup eth0 using dhcp option - no go.
I try net-setup eth0 using the manual configuration option - no go.
I go to console and try dhcpcd eth0 and this does not work.
I've tried configuring both the eth0 and eth1 device - neither can ping router or internet addresses.

So, I burned a Systemrescuecd LiveCD to see if maybe that would work -- YES -- instantly and automatic configuration upon boot.

I'm not comfortable trying install Gentoo using this LiveCD . . . I want to use the gentoo minimal install cd.

Has anyone been able to configure a gigabit Broadcom NetXtreme BCM5708 device to work with a gentoo install iso?

Thank you for your help.

[DONAHUE]

99.9% no, would require building your own cd
sysresccd is gentoo based and so may be used almost exactly as in handbook, exception: use elinks instead of links
better yet, you can boot to xfce and use copy/paste from handbook in midori browser to install terminal
as no part of the installing linux system becomes part of the final system the only advantage to the minimal cd is smaller download
_________________
Defund the FCC.

[Sum1]

Hi Donahue and thank you for your help.
I also tried the 2012 Gentoo LiveDvd and that too was unable to make the nics function or configurable.
I guess it is up to systemrescuecd to save the day for this gentoo install.
I'll do some googling and reading, and give a try using a livecd.

[MacGyver031]

Did you try tg3 module instead of bnx??

You should update system firmware(s), beforehand. With my PE2950, I had no problems with minimal-cd and networking.
_________________
Sincerely your
Joanand K.

MacBook Pro 5.1: 2.4GHz Core2 Duo, 4096MB, 500GB, NVidia 9400/9600 M GT
Gentoo, Kernel 3.4.9, XOrg, Fluxbox.

[Sum1]

Thanks MacGyver, I need to give both a try.

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I found the following on the broadcom site --

What are the Linux tg3, bnx2, bnx2x and b44 drivers?

To better support users, Broadcom has been actively supporting, maintaining, and testing the in-kernel Linux drivers for the NetXtreme, NetXtreme II, NetLink and 4401 product lines. The following is list of drivers supported for each product line:

NetXtreme and NetLink - tg3
NetXtreme II - bnx2 1G
NetXtreme II - bnx2x 10G
4401 - b44

Broadcom officially releases the Linux drivers as packages. The Linux driver packages released by Broadcom are based on the latest in-kernel drivers with some added compatibility code to make it backwards compatible with most 2.6 kernels and some 2.4 kernels (generally newer than 2.4.24). If you are using the latest upstream kernel from www.kernel.org, you generally do not need to download the Linux driver packages from Broadcom as the latest upstream kernel has the latest Linux driver patches.

For the NetXtreme and NetLink product lines, the tg3 driver is now the only Linux driver that Broadcom supports. Accordingly, Broadcom has discontinued support for the bcm5700 driver and no longer provides updates.
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Even though the hardware pieces are of different generations, it's likely that tg3 IS the only working module in the kernel for them.

I get nervous about flashing firmware, as I always fear turning this beauty into an elaborately engineered brick......i'll check the version on mine and see if it's far out of date.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

[Metuchen]

This may sound stupid, but sometimes the scripts don't bring up the link before attempting to request an address. Try running one of the following: