I am trying to find a USB FastEthernet or GigabitEthernet that works without recompiling Debian Squeeze or Ubuntu Oneric.
So far, I have tried the following USB GigE adapters:
- Belkin F4U047-RS
- Sabrent USB-NT20
- Linksys USB300M
- Apple MC704ZM/A
When I inserted them in a Debian Squeeze machine, all of them would show up as an interface in dmesg
; however, I could never get them to actually link up with an ethernet switch. I was using a cable that was known-good, and I was using an ethernet port that worked with the on-board GigE jack.
I know I can recompile and get the Linksys USB300M working; however, I have to get interfaces up quickly for any random linux server in our lab (which are mostly Debian / Ubuntu).
Throughput is really a low priority for these, the need is mostly just basic network connectivity when I fire up a new motherboard, and the on-board GigE isn't recognised for whatever reason; other times, I may need a spare interface for a quick firewalling project.