Intel NICs have MACs identified as Realtek!

[XY41]

Hi,

I've recently purchased a bare-bones mini-pc system that uses Intel I211AT network controller. My BSD-based OS has detected what appears to be Intel NICs as follows:

pciconf -lv output:

igb0@pci0:1:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00

vendor = 'Intel Corporation'

device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection'

class = network

subclass = ethernet

igb1@pci0:2:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00

vendor = 'Intel Corporation'

device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection'

class = network

subclass = ethernet

igb2@pci0:3:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00

vendor = 'Intel Corporation'

device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection'

class = network

subclass = ethernet

igb3@pci0:4:0:0: class=0x020000 card=0x00008086 chip=0x15398086 rev=0x03 hdr=0x00

vendor = 'Intel Corporation'

device = 'I211 Gigabit Network Connection'

class = network

subclass = ethernet

In addition, snipped dmesg | grep Intel shows what also appears to be Intel NICs:

igb0: port 0xd000-0xd01f mem 0x90900000-0x9091ffff,0x90920000-0x90923fff irq 16 at device 0.0 on pci1

igb1: port 0xc000-0xc01f mem 0x90800000-0x9081ffff,0x90820000-0x90823fff irq 17 at device 0.0 on pci2

igb2: port 0xb000-0xb01f mem 0x90700000-0x9071ffff,0x90720000-0x90723fff irq 18 at device 0.0 on pci3

igb3: port 0xa000-0xa01f mem 0x90600000-0x9061ffff,0x90620000-0x90623fff irq 19 at device 0.0 on pci4

However, dmesg | grep Ethernet shows what are confirmed Realtek MAC OUIs (obfuscated):

igb0: Ethernet address: 00:e0:4c:xx:xx:xx

igb1: Ethernet address: 00:e0:4c:xx:xx:xx

igb2: Ethernet address: 00:e0:4c:xx:xx:xx

igb3: Ethernet address: 00:e0:4c:xx:xx:xx

I have been in contact with the vendor, who states that the on-board I211-AT Ethernet controller may be coupled with non-Intel components, such as, they state, Realtek RJ45 ports.

I doubt very much that this is true, but I need to know for sure. I am concerned because I expected to be purchasing Intel NICs until I found the above dichotomy. AFAIK, Realtek are NOT a partner/ODM of Intel. So, my question is, what is going on here?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[XY41]

I should have said, all I really want to know is: does this happen? I assumed it would not be cost-effective, but if third-parties are building their own rigs, has anyone heard of mixing heterogenous vendors for linked hardware (i.e. intel NIC controller with Realtel MACs)?! If so, then at least I know and will leave it to rest. I'm not interested in any legal proceedings, I'm just disappointed with what appears to be mis-representation of the product and will at worst send the unit back for a refund or even stick with it. You can see why I am confused!

Any answers much appreciated, thank you.

[idata]

Hello a_p_h_e_x,

We are moving your thread over to our /community/tech/wired Wired Ethernet Support Community in order for our supporting team to provide the best assistance.Best regards,Carlos A.

[idata]

Hi A_p_h_e_x,

Thank you for posting in wired Communities. We will help further check for you then update you.Regards,Sharon T

[idata]

Hi A_p_h_e_x,

Please share the SSU log for us to investigate further. You can download the SSU at https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26735/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-the-Linux-Operating-System, while running the tool, you might encounter message such as "not supported in this OS", just skip this message to continue, the log will be generated. Feel free to contact us if you need clarification.Thanks,Sharon T

[idata]

Hi A_p_h_e_x,

Please feel free to provide the SSU for better investigation. Thanks.Regards,Sharon T