Building a custom Redhat kernel

[David Bandel]

Folks,

OK, I'm frustrated.

I need to build a custom RH kernel (actually it's a Whitebox Linux 3.0
distro).  Client insists on using this distro, but needs virtual
servers (hence a patch).

Problem:
Original kernel is 2.6.9-smp-EL.  Patch only supports 2.6.12.4. 
Building 2.6.12.4 w/ or w/o patch results in kernel panic (I've tried
initrd and compiling in required modules with the same results).

Problem is use of GRUB (no LILO! not even as an option), and
/etc/fstab and GRUB use of root=LABEL=/ nonsense.  I can't see how the
system knows /dev/sda3 == /.

Either there's a patch to the kernel to support this LABEL nonsense or
a way to reconfigure to boot without it (although altering both the
GRUB boot line and /etc/fstab only change where the system stops). 
But apparently, this is not as easy as would seem (and I can't seem to
find a kernel patch for the LABEL stuff).

Pointers appreciated.

David A. Bandel
--
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto