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Re: CFP (Call for Participation) Debian PPC64

Hi Tom,

I got got a dual Operton system that is similar in many ways to the
PPC64 versus 32 issue in that 32 bit apps run at full speed under Opteron. 

Using that as an example:

- kernel is 64 bit supporting both 32 but and 64 bit syscalls
- /lib and /lib64 both exist
- tool chain defaults to 64 bit but with addition of -m32 wll generate 32 bit 
- gdb32 and gdb available
- almost all packages are compiled 64 bit src rpms, with just a few key libraries done in 32 bit
This system works quite well as a research box, able to compile and run 32 bit apps like SAS, but also able to compile and use R and my own code using -m64 that allow its numberical processing power to shine. 

Something like that for G5 from Debian would be very very nice indeed!
One question, why do 32 bit apps run faster than 64 bit apps, is it all of the memory accesses needed to load 64 bit immediate and other data when restricted to 32 bit instruction lengths? 

Just wondering....

Kevin

On Nov 11, 2003, at 1:04 PM, tom_gall@mac.com wrote:



On Tuesday, November 11, 2003, at 11:06 AM, Leigh Brown wrote:


Albert Cahalan said:

On Mon, 2003-11-10 at 22:07, tom_gall@mac.com wrote:
Thankfully this is not a huge undertaking as the goal is not to create 
an end to end 64 bit system. (Tho that could be done, but perhaps
that's a discussion for another day)


It's not as if the Linux apps are all 32-bit.
Due to the Alpha, Opteron, and Itanium, the
code should all be clean.

You'll be running a mix if you go this route,
keeping both libraries in memory. Yuck. Some
apps need to be 64-bit. For example, procps
must be compiled as a 64-bit executable if
you want to support a 64-bit kernel.


Not true, at least on ppc64.  I've run debian on my power3
machine with a 64-bit kernel, and procps works fine.  In fact,
everything runs fine.  This begs the question, what will a ppc64
Debian look like?  I'd guess a 64-bit kernel, 32-bit and 64-bit
toolchains, .... ?


Hmm I checked my Power3 box with SuSE on it and in that case they
had it built 64 bit. Still no biggie, I think you're right Leigh,
shouldn't be alot needed that's 64 bit ... least not initially. But certainly 
in time that can (and should) change.


I hope you'll agree this is a worthwhile endeavor and with your
support, debian support for PowerPC64 processors can be enjoyed by all. 
(Or at least those with or soon to have hardware ;-)


Eh, does Linux even run on Apple's new box?


Apparently so, but pSeries boxes should also be supported.


I agree, and don't forget iSeries boxes.

Basically I'd like to see supported:

Native on the metal, Apple G5, Power3, RS64-III, RS64-IV, Power4
and for those boxes that support it, Logical Partition iSeries & pSeries 

Regards,

Tom


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