Forcing Linux to recognize NICS in BIOS order

[Ben Scott]

On 8/15/06, Paul Lussier <p.lussier at comcast.net> wrote:
> I thought there was a way to force the OS to use the same ordering,
> but can't remember the details. Anyone have pointers to an
> explanation?

  I don't have a real answer, but perhaps this will get you started:

  One thing to look into is the order in which you load the network
driver modules.  For example, if you've got an Intel onboard NIC and a
3Com PCI card NIC, and you load the 3Com module first, the 3Com NIC
will be "eth0".  (If you're compiling the drivers into the kernel
statically, you're kind of hosed.  One more reason not to do that.  :)
 )

  Some NIC drivers allow you to specify all manner of things,
including possibly naming order.  Check the boot HOWTO, the kernel
Documentation/ directory, and/or the driver source.

  I believe it is possible to rename interfaces using the "ifconfig"
command.  I know Red Hat's boot scripts let you specify adapter names
by MAC address and things like that.

  Hope this helps,

-- Ben