RTL8139 driver(written by Donald Becker) is distributed with Linux
after kernel version 2.0.34. It is better to build it into kernel.

The procedure to activate rtl8139 on linux if not build in kernel:

  step 1: ftp the latest driver from
	 	ftp://cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/linux/drivers/rtl8139.c

  step 2: compile:
           The instruction for compiling the driver is include at the
           end of the driver file. (run this instruction at
           /usr/src/linux)

  step 3: insert the driver as module:
           insmod rtl8139.o
        parameter can be added by adding options=..... behind the istrruction
                0x16(bit 4):full duplex
                bit 0-3    :default port
        (run 'lsmod' to see if the module is inserted)

  step 4: bind your card to an IP address

     /sbin/ifconfig eth0 ${IPADDR} broadcast ${BROADCAST} netmask ${NETMASK}
        (run 'netstat -i' to see if there is a interface 'ne0')

  step 5: add your card to IP routing table, then add gateway also
     your card:
	   /sbin/route add -net ${NETWORK} netmask ${NETMASK} eth0
           (should be able to ping local network now)
     gateway:
           /sbin/route add default gw ${GATEWAY} netmask 0.0.0.0 metric 1

  step 6: start inet deamon.
           /usr/sbin/inetd
           (you are on the network now)

*make sure that your kernel is built with network, fast_ethernet and module
 support. Otherwise, you have to rebuild your kernel.
 	(1:go to /usr/src/linux directory
         2:run 'make menuconfig' or 'make config'
         3:mark the options list above.
         4:exit and rebuild your kernel.
            make dep;make clean;make zImage
           the file 'zImage' will be at /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/zImage
         5:modify /etc/lilo.conf.(this file specify where kernel image is)
         6:run 'lilo'  )

You cna run 'netconfig' which will do step 4,5,6 for you. This will create
'/etc/rc.d/inet1' and 'inet2' files. These two files will run at boot time.
Then just add a line at the beginning of 'inet1'.
        'insmod /your driver'path/rtl8139.o'

then your driver will work every time you boot.