[realtek-bug] rtl8139.o and PUMP with Redhat 6.1 (works) and Redhat 6.2 (does not work)

[Avi]

Hello:

I am connected to internet through a cable modem.  I am connected
through an SMC1211 TX EZCard.

For many months now, I have successfully connected to the internet under
Redhat 6.1 (Kernel 2.2.12-2) where the IP address etc. is obtained
through DHCP protocol by the "pump" program that comes with Redhat 6.1.

Recently, I upgraded the kernel to 2.2.16-3 (the kernel for Redhat 6.2)
-- I used the kernel binary RPM from Redhat to install the new kernel
image etc..  Essentially, at this point I can boot in either 2.2.12-20
or 2.2.16-3 on the same machine / partitions.  Since the upgrade, using
the 2.2.16-3 kernel, I have been unable to get the SMC1211 card to
obtain the required information from the DHCP server on the cable
system, and connect to the internet.  Essentially, it can not connect
with the internet.  However, I can connect to the internet if I boot the
2.2.12-20 kernel.

While booted in 2.2.16-3, when I try to connect with the internet by
interactively executing the "pump"  program (pump -i eth?), I see
(ifconfig) that the required interface is created and there are packets
being transmitted and received.   However, no IP address is assigned.
After a minute or so, "pump" gives up and quits.  At this point this new
interface that was being created also disappears.

Here are additional details:

Setup that works:
Redhat 6.1 (2.2.12-20), rtl8139.c version 1.07, rtl8139.o is 17664
bytes, dated Sept 27, 1999

Setup that DOES NOT work:
Kernel from Redhat 6.2 (2.2.16-3), rtl8139.c version 1.07, rtl8139.o is
17600 bytes, dated June 19, 2000.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks,

Avinash