If you get these errors:
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8105e-1.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168e-2.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168e-1.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168d-2.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168d-1.fw for module r8169
or
W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168f-2.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8105e-1.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168e-3.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168e-2.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168e-1.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168d-2.fw for module r8169 W: Possible missing firmware /lib/firmware/rtl_nic/rtl8168d-1.fw for module r8169
Do this as root (or using sudo):
# apt-get install firmware-realtek
Win!
If you have other firmware issues, n1md4 suggested installing: firmware-linux and firmware-linux-nonfree in the comments (thanks!)
Why do they need firmware? Are those RTL chips the equivalent of the loathed software modems?
No idea. It wouldn’t surprise me.
Well if the performance is flaky and dire you know why.
Doesn’t work for me …
@Lotto, if you work out what’s wrong for you, let us know!
Diziet: You need firmware because Debian decided to go all free; removing any non-free blobs from the kernel.
Lotto: There is also firmware-linux and firmware-linux-nonfree, that might come in handy.
It works fine on Debian SID (on netbook HP Mini 210)
Thanks