Networking gear

2.5 GbE

NIC

RTL8125 (PCIe)

RTL8156 (USB)

Should be supported as of Linux 5.13

Switches

• https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/ubiquiti-flex-mini-25g-5-ports-network-switches-51891067 48 CHF
• https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/tp-link-8-port-25g-desktop-switch-tl-sg108-m2-unmanaged-network-switches-15681383?tagIds=7-1377 65 CHF

5 GbE

NIC

RTL8126 (PCIe)

Supported as of Linux 6.9… but others report having to use DKMS

• https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCCHIYI
• https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/06/18/realtek-rtl8126-5gbps-ethernet-pcie-and-m-2-adapters/

RTL8157 (USB 3.2)

DKMS instructions: https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/realtek-8157-driver-installation-wavlink-wl-nwu340g.164621/post-785447

• https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oDHTPAA
• https://www.wavlink.com/en_us/product/WL_NWU340G.html
• https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/08/14/the-first-realtek-rtl8157-5gbps-ethernet-to-usb-3-2-adapters/

10 GbE

NIC

RTL8127 (PCIe)

• https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/09/05/buy-realtek-rtl8127-10gbe-pcie-cards-and-m2-modules/

RTL8159 (USB 3.2)

• https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/05/22/realtek-rtl8127-rtl8159-and-rtl8261c-will-power-low-cost-efficient-10-gbps-ethernet-cards-usb-adapters-and-switches/

Marvell AQC

• 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G over RJ45
• TPlink TX-401

Switches

• 1x SFP+ + 8x 2.5 GbE: https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/11/11/inexpensive-ampcom-8-port-2-5gbe-managed-switch-with-10gbe-spf-cage/ $60 + tax