I've got 2.6.2 running and am trying to use an ax8817x-based USB network adapter. I've tried two different devices and the symptoms are exactly the same. For some reason the system stops speaking to the ax88x7x connection. It throws no error messages into anything in /var/log but ifconfig eth0 does show an incrementing error count. Both of these devices are known to work (testing on a nearby XP box shows them to work just fine). They also worked with previous 2.6 kernel installs (other issues necessitated 2.6.2)

Pulling the unit out and plugging it in again does not change matters. But 'service network restart' after unplug/plug DOES return connectivity. A service restart alone, however, does not.

Any ideas on where to start debugging?