How can I get my USB functionality working on IBM eServer xSeries 440 (Model: 8687-2RX) on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3?

If USB functionality is required, please install BIOS level 1.11 or newer. This BIOS level will enable proper functionality of the USB ports at the rear of the machine. However, due to some resource conflicts and other issues unresolvable in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 release cycle, the USB port on the front of the machine is not functional. Should this port be needed to function for a period of time, boot the uni-processor kernel. Note that this kernel will only support 1 CPU and 4GB of RAM so to regain full usage of the CPUs and RAM the machine must be rebooted with either the hugemem or smp kernels as appropriate.