Linux 7.2 Kernel to Integrate Realtek RTL8159 10GbE USB NIC Driver Support

The Linux Kernel Community is preparing to integrate mainline driver support for the Realtek RTL8159 10 Gigabit Ethernet USB network interface controller. This development targets the upcoming Linux 7.2 kernel release, which is scheduled for summer 2024. The integration aims to bring native support for this high-speed networking hardware directly into the standard kernel tree.

Open source developer Birger Koblitz leads effort to merge out-of-tree support code

Open source developer Birger Koblitz is leading the effort to merge out-of-tree support code into the mainline r8152 driver. The changes are currently being submitted to the net-next Git branch for the Linux network subsystem. This move would allow users to connect 10Gbps USB Ethernet adapters without relying on external or proprietary modules.

Full 10Gbps functionality requires more than just the kernel driver update. The source indicates that PHY firmware must also be integrated into the linux-firmware branch to achieve the target network speeds. Consequently, the kernel driver merge alone may not be sufficient to deliver the full performance capabilities of the RTL8159 chip.

This update represents a significant step for Linux users who rely on high-bandwidth USB networking solutions. Mainline inclusion simplifies the deployment process by removing the need for manual driver compilation or third-party installations. It aligns with the kernel community's goal of supporting modern hardware standards out of the box.