[Bug 294119] missing network driver for Realtek RTL 8125BG

From: <bugzilla-noreply_at_freebsd.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 03:21:45 UTC
https://bugs.freebsd.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=294119

--- Comment #5 from Alex Matei <alex@dawnmail.net> ---
I want to install FreeBSD 15.0-RELEASE.
If I select 'Distribution Sets' in 'Select Installation Type' dialog box 
(see installation step 01), there's no way to install FreeBSD because the 
network is not working as you can see in Installation steps 02, 03, 04.
I have to exit the installation.

If I select 'Packages (Tech Preview)', I can install the OS  without network.
Then I go to shell and try to install the correct network driver.
I download if_re files from https://github.com/alexdupre/rtl_bsd_drv.
I compiled if_re.ko and put it in /boot/modules, but it did not work:

# kldload /boot/modules/if_re.ko
KLD if_re.ko: depends on kernel - not available or version mismatch
kldload: can't load /boot/modules/if_re.ko: module already loaded or in kernel
root@hawk:/etc/rc.d #

Then I commented the following line in /usr/src/sys/amd64/conf/GENERIC:
device          re                      # RealTek 8139C+/8169/8169S/8110S

and re-compiled the kernel and it worked.


When I installed FreeBSD 14.2, I do not remember recompiling the kernel.
I just followed your suggestion in bug 280813.

So, one problem is the inability to install the 15.0 when selecting
'Distribution Sets' in 'Installation Type' dialog box.
Secondly, when selecting 'Packages (Tech Preview)', in order to install the
correct if_re.ko, I have to re-compile the kernel to remove if_re.ko that 
comes with 15.0.

Please let me know what you think.
Thanks.

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