This post is a short HOWTO and describes how to get the Startech USB31000SPTB network adapter working on CentOS 6.5. USB31000SPTB uses the AX88179 chipset and is a USB3.0 to 10/100/1000M Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  This adapter works without any modifications on Ubuntu 13.10 and 14.04 LTS.

I am using kernel version 2.6.32-431.17.1.el6.x86_64 in this post

Use the root user if sudo is unavailable.

Steps taken to download, compile and install the Axis kernel module

1. Download the Axis linux kernel driver from http://www.asix.com.tw/products.php?op=pItemdetail&PItemID=131;71;112. I downloaded the Linux kernel 3.x/2.6.x Driver V1.10.0 2014-04-22 For Android 1.x/2.x/3.x/4.x, Linux kernel 2.6.25 and later. The file downloaded was named AX88179_178A_LINUX_DRIVER_v1.10.0_SOURCE.tar.bz2
2. Install the build tools
   $ sudo yum groupinstall “Development Tools”
3. Install the kernel headers
   $ sudo yum install kernel-headers
4. Unpack the Axis kernel driver
   $ tar xfj AX88179_178A_LINUX_DRIVER_v1.10.0_SOURCE.tar.bz2
   $ cd AX88179_178A_LINUX_DRIVER_v1.10.0_SOURCE
5. Compile and install the Axis AX88179 kernel module
   $ make
   $ sudo make install
   The kernel module is now compiled and available in the /lib/modules/2.6.32-431.17.1.el6.x86_64/kernel/drivers/net/usb folder.
   $ cd /lib/modules/2.6.32-431.17.1.el6.x86_64/kernel/drivers/net/usb
   $ sudo chmod u+x ax88179_178a.ko
6. The Axis module is now available on the system but not enabled. The easiest way to test it is to perform a reboot or you can modprobe usbnet and insmod ax88179_178a.ko kernel module

Network adapter eth0 is now available and ready to be used.
Enjoy!