Arch Linux

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

I'm trying to install a driver for a StarTech USB 2.0 to Gigabith Ethernet adapter.  The instructions are as follows:

3. Driver structure and file description
----------------------------------------

    Driver module:

    smsc7500.ko:        lan7500 driver.

    Files:
        smsc7500usbnet.h    - usbnet header file
        smsc7500usbnet.c    - usbnet source file
        smsclan7500.h        - lan7500 hardware specific header file
        smsclan7500.c        - lan7500 hardware specific source file
        ioctl_7500.h        - ioctl header file definitions
        smsc7500version.h    - Driver version number header file.
        Makefile        - Makefile
        readme.txt        - This file
   

4. Building and installing the driver
-------------------------------------
    The following instructions work fine for a PC build environment, embedded
    platforms may need slight build modifications, consult your platform documentation.
    a. Obtain the kernel source tree for the platform in use and build it.
    b. run 'make' command to smsc7500.ko module
    c. load the module: 
        insmod smsc7500.ko
    d. Plug in the lan7500 device into the USB port.
    e. Configure the ethernet interface eth<n> in the usual way for an ethernet device.

My problem is that I'm not sure what it means when it says to "obtain the kernel source tree for the platform in use and build it."  How do I do that?

Also, when I try to run the "make" command on smsc7500.ko (which doesn't appear to exist), I get this error:
make: *** No rule to make target 'smsc7500.ko'.  Stop.

Suggestions are welcome!

loqs

Member

Registered: 2014-03-06

Posts: 19,113

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

I would suggest you follow Network_configuration#Device_driver to identify the VID:PID and see what drivers already available.
Edit:
Such as the smsc75xx.
Edit2:
Change link to point to wired network configuration instead of wireless network configuration.

Last edited by loqs (2018-04-29 19:47:42)

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

My wireless card is working fine.  This is for an external USB 2 to ethernet adapter.  Or is there something there I should be following anyway?

loqs

Member

Registered: 2014-03-06

Posts: 19,113

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

Apologies changed link to point to wired configuration instead of wireless.

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

The driver does not appear to be loaded.  I think I'll need to use the drivers provided by StarTech.  However, the "make" command keeps failing, and it keeps telling me there is no module "smsc7500.ko".

loqs

Member

Registered: 2014-03-06

Posts: 19,113

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

Without providing a VID:PID there is no way to know if there is a supported driver in the kernel or in AUR.

progandy

Member

Registered: 2012-05-17

Posts: 5,322

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

The driver from this startech page registers the same ids as smsc75xx in the kernel (but it has not been updated since 2010)
https://www.startech.com/eu/Networking- … USB21000S2
The registered ids of both drivers are 0x0424:0x7500 as well as 0x0424:0x7505
The driver in the kernel is still maintained and should work with current 4.x kernels, while the startech driver is probably not working anymore.

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| alias CUTF='LANG=en_XX.UTF-8@POSIX ' | alias ENGLISH='LANG=C.UTF-8 ' |

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

Sorry, I wasn't familiar with VID:PID.  Nothing listed there includes "Ethernet Controller".

Using "lsusb" I was able to find this:
Bus 003 Device 007: ID 0424:7500 Standard Microsystems Corp. LAN7500 Ethernet 10/100/1000 Adapter

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

The driver from this startech page registers the same ids as smsc75xx in the kernel (but it has not been updated since 2010)
https://www.startech.com/eu/Networking- … USB21000S2
The registered ids of both drivers are 0x0424:0x7500 as well as 0x0424:0x7505
The driver in the kernel is still maintained and should work with current 4.x kernels, while the startech driver is probably not working anymore.

If there is a driver in the kernel that is maintained, does this mean I should be able to get this device working without having to install the StarTech driver?

After a reboot, I see "Ethernet Network" in my list of networks, but it says it is "disconnected".

I apologize for my lack of knowledge here, I'm learning as I go.

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

Using "ip link" I found it was eth3 (I think).  It is currently down.  When I try to set it "up", it returns with:
RTNETLINK answers: Operation not permitted

progandy

Member

Registered: 2012-05-17

Posts: 5,322

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

You have to be root (e.g. sudo or su)  in order to configure network devices.

Edit: It is common practice in the wiki to prefix root commands with a '#' prompt and user commands with '$'.

Last edited by progandy (2018-04-29 21:44:25)

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| alias CUTF='LANG=en_XX.UTF-8@POSIX ' | alias ENGLISH='LANG=C.UTF-8 ' |

loqs

Member

Registered: 2014-03-06

Posts: 19,113

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

# ip link set interface up

# indicates the command should be run as root or with root privileges.
Edit:
Did you not encounter this when following the installation guide?

Last edited by loqs (2018-04-29 21:43:55)

BelowZero

Member

Registered: 2018-03-13

Posts: 59

Re: Help installing driver for StarTech USB 2 to Ethernet Device

Doh!  Yep, I did.  Just forgot.  Thanks for the reminder.