I'm attempting to migrate my server from linux to a Solaris variant during a hardware upgrade. The machine is based around an Abit AN-M2 board which has an NForce chipset. I have what seems to be a chicken-and-egg problem of sorts:

• OpenSolaris 2009.06 does not recognize the NIC and I cannot compile the drivers for it as it also lacks gcc. I haven't tested as to whether or not I can mount an ext3 partition yet but its moot if there is no networking.
• Nexenta 3.0b3 recognizes the NIC but I cannot get the ext3 drives mounted due to FSWfspart refusing to install. I do not know much about Solaris but I wager this is due to the fact that Nexenta is based around Debian as well.

While I am reusing the mobo/CPU combo, I did just spent a lot of money on the other hardware around it and would very much like to get it up and running smoothly and quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions that are not:

• Get a new mobo/CPU
• Run another OS
• Use alternate NIC