New install of Mesa 7i92 on TCL lathe

forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/3559...ethernet-mesa-boards

What version of Mint, it's always good to know.

So would it be safe to assume that this "adapter" is a USB to LAN adapter ?

If you could supply as much info as possible regarding the USB to LAN adapter that would be great. It will help determining if a driver is available.
Prefably the output of the following.
If the command is not found you will need to install usbutils:
Once you get to a stage where you have more than one network adapter (this means any combination of Wifi\Ehernet or whatever) you need to tell the system how to configure each adapter, it does not know automagically how to do that.

Just remember to keep your Mesa card and home network on different segments.
ie Mesa may be on 10.10.10.xxx and your Home network on 192.168.1.xxx
Only the home network with require the use of a Gateway & DNS server, the Mesa network requires neither.
This is an article on how to setup a network using Mint. Now remember not to change the network settings for the network that connects to your MESA card. This may or may not pertain to your Version of Linux Mint.
linuxhint.com/network-configuration-linux-mint/

Remember also that if you have a spare PCi\PCIe slot inside the computer you do not need to use a USB adapter, there is the option to use a appropriate internal network adapter.[/code][/code]

I do have a spare pci slot currently occupied by a parallel port card which will hopefully become redundant . What do I need to put in there .
What is the instruction to identify the version of mint I am using.

Did you check the link i posted?
it describes in detail how to set up Mint.

I did tommy but the big warning in red seems to put me in another dark spot .

I have already(after earlier instructions ) edited the file /etc/network/interfaces .
This leaves me wondering whether I need to undo previous changes , and of course the question arises how to do that.

Having embarked on that route is there maybe an alternative that avoids the need for retreat.

Mint Version
I've never edited the /etc/network/interfaces file when using Mint. I just click on the Network icon on the taskbar, RH side near the clock, and edit using the dialogs. More info is in the link I supplied for Network config for Mint.