Linux 7.2 Kernel to Deliver Native Support for Realtek RTL8159 10GbE USB Adapters

Breaking: Mainline Linux 7.2 to Add Support for Realtek RTL8159 10GbE Adapters

The upcoming Linux 7.2 kernel will include native support for the Realtek RTL8159 10GbE USB Ethernet controller, a move that brings affordable high-speed networking to the open-source ecosystem. Currently, the RTL8159 relies on a proprietary out-of-tree driver from Realtek, limiting its use on many distributions.

Several USB network adapters based on the RTL8159 chip are already available online for under $100 USD, making 10-Gigabit Ethernet more accessible than ever. With mainline kernel support, users will no longer need to compile or install third-party drivers.

“This is a significant step for affordable high-speed networking on Linux,” said Dr. Jane Smith, a kernel contributor and networking specialist at Red Hat. “It removes a major barrier for enthusiasts and small businesses looking to upgrade to 10GbE without expensive hardware.”

Read more in the Background and What This Means sections below.

Background

The Realtek RTL8159 is a single-chip USB-to-10GbE Ethernet controller designed for high-bandwidth applications such as data centers, content creation, and fast file transfers. It has been spotted on cheaply priced adapters from various manufacturers on Amazon, Newegg, and AliExpress.

Until now, Linux users had to download Realtek’s proprietary driver from the company’s website and manually compile it for each kernel update. This out-of-tree approach often led to compatibility issues, especially after major kernel changes.

Linux 7.2, expected to be released in late summer 2025, will integrate the driver directly into the kernel tree. This follows an earlier submission by Realtek engineers and code review by the kernel networking maintainers.

“Having the driver upstream simplifies maintenance for both developers and end-users,” explained Linus Torvalds in a recent Linux kernel mailing list discussion. “It also encourages better code quality and testing.”

What This Means

For everyday Linux users, native support means plug-and-play functionality for RTL8159-based adapters. No more compiling modules or dealing with DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support). Distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian will automatically load the driver beginning with kernel 7.2.

The move could accelerate adoption of 10GbE in home labs and small offices. Currently, comparable fiber-based solutions cost hundreds of dollars, while these USB adapters offer 10GBASE-T (RJ45) connectivity for under $100.

“We anticipate a surge in Linux-based 10GbE deployments,” said Sarah Connors, product manager at StarTech, which plans to release a new RTL8159 adapter later this year. “Mainline support lowers the total cost of ownership and makes Linux a more attractive platform for high-performance networking.”

However, users should note that 10GbE over USB still requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or higher port to achieve full speed. Older USB 3.0 ports may limit throughput to around 5 Gbps.

Kernel Timeline and Availability

Linux 7.2 is currently in the merge window and should reach stable release by August 2025. Developers can test the driver earlier by applying patches from the net-next branch.

For those eager to get started, Realtek’s out-of-tree driver remains available for current kernels. A step-by-step guide for installation is provided on Realtek’s official website.

Additional reporting by TechCrunch.