Newer kernels are including ethernet over firewire built by default, replaces expected eth0 with an UNSPEC eth0 that is the firewire port. Reproducible: Sometimes Steps to Reproduce: Use genkernel with a 1394 port on the machine Actual Results: firewire port gets assigned as an ethernet device before the normal network card is assigned eth0 expected network access not available after reboot due to device order change Expected Results: firewire port should not be eth0 or should not autoload eth over 1394 Seems to be due to driver change in either Depreciated CONFIG_IEEE1394_DV1394, CONFIG_IEEE1394_RAWIO, or CONFIG_IEEE1394_VIDEO1394 that causes CONFIG_IEEE1394_ETH1394 to build even though not listed as a dependancy. I saw this on x86_64 and a user reported it on x86 tonight. I reproduced this with a couple kernel versions, will check their versions and fill in the details. Will add details after I check driver is depending on IEEE1934_ETH1394
Attach your kernel .config here please.