Introduction

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that is widely used in the computer industry. One of the most important components of a computer system is its network interface card (NIC). The NIC is responsible for communicating with other computers on a network. It is important to know the model and type of the NIC in order to troubleshoot networking issues or to install the correct drivers. In this article, we will look at how to determine the NIC model and type in Linux.

Using the lspci Command

One of the easiest ways to find out the NIC model and type in Linux is by using the lspci command. This command is used to display information about PCI buses and devices connected to the system. To list all PCI devices, including the NIC, run the following command in the terminal: 

lspci

This will display a list of all the PCI devices on your system. To find the NIC, look for a line that contains the words "Ethernet controller". This line will also show the NIC's model and vendor information.

Using the ethtool Command

Another way to find the NIC model and type in Linux is by using the ethtool command. This command is used to display and modify Ethernet device settings. It can display information about the NIC including the driver version, firmware version, and hardware settings.

To display information about a specific NIC, you will need to know its interface name. You can use the ifconfig command to list all the interface names on your system. Once you know the interface name, run the following command in the terminal: 

ethtool [interface name]

Replace [interface name] with the name of the interface you want to check. This command will display information about the NIC, including the model and type, speed, and duplex mode.

Conclusion

In this article, we have looked at two methods for finding the NIC model and type in Linux. The lspci command is a simple way to list all PCI devices on your system and find the NIC's vendor and model information. The ethtool command provides more detailed information about the NIC, including driver and firmware versions, and hardware settings. Knowing the model and type of the NIC is important for troubleshooting networking issues or installing the correct drivers.