Linux – Installing Debian 7.1 Using Net Install with Intel I217-V

debianlinux

Just built a new machine with an ASUS Maximus VI Hero motherboard which happens to have a newer Intel ethernet controller, model Intel I217-V.

I'd like to use the Debian netinstall (debian-7.1.0-amd64-netinst.iso) and somehow get the new driver (https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=15817) loaded during the installation process. I'm not really sure how to do this… do I need to bust out the shell during the install and make and install the driver?

Best Answer

I just purchased a System 76 Galago system, preinstalled with Ubuntu 13.4. The network interface was indeed working before I wiped the system and re-installed with Debian 7. I was in the same boat as you - a non-working network interface. Following the README instructions to build the RPM turned out to be fruitless, so I did it the "manual" way.

tar -zxvf e1000e-2.5.4.tar.gz
cd e1000e-2.5.4
apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-amd64 # Chose your architecture
cd src
make
sudo make install

Now, check your system log and loaded modules

$ dmesg | grep e1000e
[ 6104.223366] e1000e: Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Driver - 2.5.4-NAPI
[ 6104.223370] e1000e: Copyright(c) 1999 - 2013 Intel Corporation.
[ 6104.223422] e1000e 0000:00:19.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 6104.223513] e1000e 0000:00:19.0: Interrupt Throttling Rate (ints/sec) set to dynamic conservative mode
[ 6104.223554] e1000e 0000:00:19.0: irq 46 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 6105.347743] e1000e 0000:00:19.0: eth0: (PCI Express:2.5GT/s:Width x1) 00:90:f5:ed:14:0c
[ 6105.347750] e1000e 0000:00:19.0: eth0: Intel(R) PRO/1000 Network Connection
[ 6105.347794] e1000e 0000:00:19.0: eth0: MAC: 11, PHY: 12, PBA No: FFFFFF-0FF

$lsmod | grep e1000e
e1000e                199227  0

You should also see the interface w/the ip tool

ip addr
7: eth0: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN qlen 1000
link/ether 00:90:f5:ed:14:0c brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff

Use NetworkManager, or in my case, the ifupdown utils to configure.

# cat << EOF >> /etc/network/interfaces
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
EOF
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