RTL8169RTL8168

RTL8169 and RTL8168 are Realtek's family of PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controllers, spanning an older model and its successor. They are commonly used in desktops, laptops, and embedded devices to provide 1 Gbps Ethernet connectivity over PCIe.

Hardware and operation: Both devices integrate the MAC and PHY and connect to the system via a PCIe interface. They are designed for low cost and energy efficiency while delivering reliable Gigabit Ethernet performance, supporting standard features such as auto-negotiation, DMA-based data transfer, and typical Ethernet functionality.

Software and drivers: Linux systems typically use the r8169 driver in the mainline kernel, which generally supports both RTL8169 and RTL8168 devices. Realtek also provides a dedicated r8168 driver for certain operating systems or kernel versions. Windows and BSD drivers are available from Realtek or through distribution channels. In modern environments, these NICs usually function with minimal manual driver intervention.

Variants and usage: The RTL8169/RTL8168 family includes multiple revisions and suffixes indicating minor PHY or packaging differences, but they share a common interface and driver model. This compatibility has led to broad deployment across consumer motherboards, add-on cards, and embedded platforms, making them a familiar option for reliable Gigabit networking in a wide range of hardware.

See also: Realtek Semiconductor, RTL8139 family, r8169 driver, PCI Express Ethernet.