is upgrade to 2.6.18-6-ixp4xx safe?

[Tom Curran <narrucmot@gmail.com>]

I ran 'apt-get dist-upgrade' on my Debian Slug today for the first time 
in a while just to see if there is an upgrade available and it wants to 
upgrade from my 2.6.18-5 kernel to 2.6.18-6.  Is the 2.6.28-6-ixp4xx 
kernel a safe upgrade?  I seem to remember some talk a while back about 
a broken ethernet driver disabling a slug after a kernel upgrade.  I am 
trying to avoid that aweful fate.  Any feedback or answers is welcome. 
Thanks!

--Tom