Re: Proposal for new architecture support/distribution
On Mon, Feb 01, 1999 at 11:04:38AM -0800, Jim Pick wrote:
>
> "Phillip R. Jaenke" <prj@nls.net> writes:
>
> > A bit of history first, as it is somewhat important. For those of you who
> > don't know; Linux runs on PowerPC's. Yes. It does. Now, what big names do
> > we know that have PowerPC based systems? Let's see. Apple. Amiga. UMax.
> > IBM RS/6000 (RISC System series-6000 for the unacquainted ones).
> >
> > Now, which one doesn't fit the semi-standard mold? That's right; the IBM
> > RS/6000. There's also a great deal of diversity among the RS/6000 line.
> > Processors used in the RS/6000 line are the Power2, PowerPC 603, PowerPC
> > 603e, PowerPC 604, PowerPC 604e, PowerPC RS64 II, and the PowerPC with X5.
> > Currently, only the PowerPC 603e, 604, and 604e's are supported by Linux.
>
> > So, I propose Debian/RS/6000. A distribution built specifically around and
> > for RS/6000's. Anyone who's dealt with AIX knows that it can be more
> > trouble than it's worth at times.
>
> Wouldn't that make more sense as a subarchitecture of the PowerPC
> port. I gather that the userspace component would be the same. You'd
> just need work on the kernel and installation process. Or are the
> instruction sets somehow incompatible?
Unless I'm severely mistaken, the userland for all lines of Power* CPUs
should be identical, minus a few hardware-related programs. The major
portion of the work is kernel; if you can get them to boot, we'll
gladly support the installation process.
Dan
/--------------------------------\ /--------------------------------\
| Daniel Jacobowitz |__| CMU, CS class of 2002 |
| Debian GNU/Linux Developer __ Part-Time Systems Programmer |
| dan@debian.org | | drow@cs.cmu.edu |
\--------------------------------/ \--------------------------------/
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