linux-drivers/
drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/rtase

Realtek RTL90xx automotive Ethernet switches

A family of Realtek PCIe-attached automotive Ethernet switch controllers (RTL9054, RTL9068, RTL9071, RTL9072, and RTL9075) used inside cars to carry in-vehicle network traffic between ECUs, infotainment, ADAS sensors, and gateways. The hardware is new — the driver was upstreamed in 2024 — and Realtek is shipping it to automakers and Tier-1 suppliers in 2025.

keep conf=0.88 deploy=low replacement=none subsystem=net category=networking-ethernet
88%

recommendation

It should stay because this is a recently upstreamed driver for a current Realtek product line (RTL9054/9068/9071/9072/9075) that the company's 2024 annual report describes as in mass production with multiple automakers and Tier-1 suppliers. Upstream activity is healthy, with patches still landing in 2025 and no deprecation discussion on netdev.

repository signals

3 files
2,762 source lines
29 commits, 5y
+2,817 / −45 lines added / removed, 5y
3 authors, 5y
monthly commits · 2021-04-21 → 2026-04-21 · 29 total · active in 9/61 months
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sources

  1. lwn.net

    Public netdev patch archive for rtase shows this is a recently upstreamed Realtek automotive PCIe Ethernet driver series covering RTL9054/RTL9068/RTL9072/RTL9075/RTL9071, not abandoned legacy code.

  2. lkml.iu.edu

    July 15, 2024 thread shows the series was still being reposted and discussed on netdev; the blocker shown there was net-next timing, not removal or deprecation.

  3. cateee.net

    LKDDb shows CONFIG_RTASE exists in mainline kernels, builds module rtase, and binds PCI ID 10ec:906a.

  4. realtek.com

    Realtek's 2024 annual report says its automotive Ethernet products are certified/adopted by numerous automakers and Tier-1 suppliers, with mass production and delivery in progress.

codex reasoning notes (technical)

Shell exec on rtase_main.c confirmed this is a real PCI net driver with module_pci_driver(), PCI ID 10ec:906a, and explicit 'Realtek Automotive Ethernet Switch' / RTL90xx scope. LWN and LKML mirror URLs were obtained via web search/open to assess lore-visible upstream activity; they show recent upstreaming/repost activity and no removal discussion. LKDDb URL was obtained by web search for in-tree support status. Realtek annual-report PDF URL was obtained by web search and supports that the hardware family is still commercially active in 2025. Combined with the prompt's static metadata (29 substantive commits, latest 2025-08-15), this points to a new, actively maintained niche automotive driver that should be kept, not deprecated.