Why "netxen_nic" module fails to bring up the interfaces with "Invalid Size" error message while loading the NIC in RHEL5?

Issue

• NetXen Incorporated NX3031 Multifunction 1/10-Gigabit Server Adapter (rev 42) NICs gets loaded with no connectivity:

# ethtool eth0
Settings for eth0:
    Supported ports: [ TP FIBRE ]
    Supported link modes:   10000baseT/Full 
    Supports auto-negotiation: No
    Advertised link modes:  10000baseT/Full 
    Advertised auto-negotiation: No
    Speed: Unknown!
    Duplex: Unknown! (255)
    Port: FIBRE
    PHYAD: 0
    Transceiver: external
    Auto-negotiation: off
    Supports Wake-on: g
    Wake-on: g
    Link detected: no

• The netxen driver throws Following error visible in /var/log/messages and dmesg output:

# grep netxen_nic /var/log/messages
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: 2MB memory map
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: Gen2 strapping detected
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: using 64-bit dma mask
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic: Dual XGb SFP+ LP Board S/N CB0CBK0133  Chip rev 0x42
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: firmware v4.0.590 [legacy]
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: using msi-x interrupts
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: eth2: XGbE port initialized
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: eth2: Supports Fw Dump Capability
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.1: 2MB memory map
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.1: using 64-bit dma mask
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.1: firmware v4.0.590 [legacy]
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.1: using msi-x interrupts
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.1: eth3: XGbE port initialized
Aug 28 14:43:29 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.1: eth3: Supports Fw Dump Capability
Aug 28 14:48:14 hostname kernel: netxen_nic 0000:0d:00.0: Invalid size