Annotation of www/alpha.html, Revision 1.269
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1.116 krw 14:
1.95 miod 15: <h2><font color="#e00000">OpenBSD/alpha</font></h2>
16:
1.83 horacio 17: <hr>
1.3 fn 18:
1.50 nate 19: <p>
1.95 miod 20: OpenBSD/alpha runs on a large set of the alpha computers manufactured by
21: <a href="http://www.digital.com">Digital</a> (then Compaq, now Hewlett-Packard).
22:
23: <p>
24: A mailing list dedicated to the OpenBSD/alpha port is available at
25: <u><font color="#23238e">alpha@openbsd.org</font></u>.
26: To join the OpenBSD/alpha mailing list, send a message body of <b>"subscribe
27: alpha"</b> to <a href="mailto:majordomo@openbsd.org">majordomo@openbsd.org</a>.
28: Please be sure to check our <a href="mail.html">mailing list policy</a> before
29: subscribing.
1.45 niklas 30:
1.265 bentley 31: <h3 id="toc"><font color="#0000e0"><i>Table of contents</i></font></h3>
1.116 krw 32:
1.95 miod 33: <ul>
1.100 jufi 34: <li><a href="#history">History of the port</a>
1.95 miod 35: <li><a href="#status">Current status</a>
1.120 nick 36: <li><a href="#hardware">Supported hardware</a>
1.95 miod 37: <li><a href="#install">Getting and installing OpenBSD/alpha</a>
38: </ul>
39:
40: <hr>
1.265 bentley 41:
42: <h3 id="history"><font color="#0000e0"><strong>History:</strong></font></h3>
1.95 miod 43:
44: <p>
45: The OpenBSD/alpha port was started in the summer of 1996 by using code
46: from the NetBSD/alpha port which was started by
47: <a href="mailto:cgd@netbsd.org">Chris Demetriou</a> in 1994.
48: After the original OpenBSD port, some
1.45 niklas 49: copyright issues prevented OpenBSD from tracking the NetBSD code.
50: Regardless, work on the alpha port continued and many fixes were made.
1.95 miod 51: Meanwhile, NetBSD continued to make improvements to the
1.83 horacio 52: alpha port which we were unfortunately unable to use. Over time,
1.45 niklas 53: because of a lack of programmer resources and the inability to use
54: NetBSD code, hardware and software support became very outdated. This
55: caused the 2.5 and 2.6 releases of alpha to have few kernel
1.95 miod 56: enhancements. As a result of its becoming so stale, there was no
57: OpenBSD/alpha port included in the 2.7 and 2.8 releases.
1.45 niklas 58:
1.95 miod 59: <p>
1.264 tedu 60: Shortly after OpenBSD 2.8 was released, there was a great deal of
1.95 miod 61: interest in bringing the port up to date. This, coupled with the fact
62: that NetBSD changed the license on its alpha code so that there were no
1.264 tedu 63: longer copyright issues led to an effort to bring the alpha port
1.50 nate 64: back up. (For details on why we were not able to keep tracking the
1.95 miod 65: NetBSD code, check our <a href="policy.html">policy</a> page.)
1.50 nate 66:
1.95 miod 67: <p>
68: Nathan Binkert, Art Grabowski, Niklas Hallqvist and Eric Jackson, with
1.234 sthen 69: the help of a few others, eventually brought the port into good shape
1.95 miod 70: again, and starting with the 2.9 release OpenBSD/alpha is a supported
71: OpenBSD port again.
72:
73: <hr>
1.265 bentley 74:
75: <h3 id="status"><font color="#0000e0"><strong>Current status:</strong></font></h3>
1.95 miod 76:
77: <p>
78: Currently, all the hardware listed in the
1.120 nick 79: <a href="#hardware">supported hardware</a> section below boots
1.95 miod 80: multi-user, and supports enough of the on-board devices to be generally
1.119 pedro 81: usable, unless specified otherwise.
1.95 miod 82: A large set of PCI cards also work reliably, while ISA devices support has
83: limitations.
84:
85: <p>
1.247 matthieu 86: X11 server support is currently broken on alpha.
1.95 miod 87:
88: <hr>
1.265 bentley 89:
90: <h3 id="hardware"><font color="#0000e0"><strong>Supported hardware:</strong></font></h3>
1.45 niklas 91:
1.95 miod 92: <p>
93: To the best of our knowledge, the following hardware is supported, but there
94: might be occasional breakage on some models.
95: Since there are many models and combinations that have not been tested,
96: we would appreciate very much if you told us about things that work and
97: do not work.
98: To help us keep track of what hardware people use, please mail your dmesg to
99: <a href="mailto:dmesg@openbsd.org">dmesg@openbsd.org</a>.
100: If there are things that do not work, please file a bug report using
1.116 krw 101: <a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=sendbug&arch=alpha&sektion=1">
1.95 miod 102: sendbug(1)</a>.
103:
1.170 brad 104: <p>
105:
1.95 miod 106: <h4>Supported Machines:</h4>
1.229 jsg 107: <ul>
1.241 miod 108: <li>DS15, DS15A, DS25, ES45, TS15 and TS202C
109: <li>264DP, CS20, DS10, DS20, DS20L, ES40, XP900, XP1000, and other EV6 machines
1.258 miod 110: using the Tsunami chipset
1.233 miod 111: <li>API UP1000, UP1100, UP2000, and UP2000+ and other EV6 machines using the
112: Irongate chipset
1.229 jsg 113: <li>Digital Personal Workstation (Miata)<br>
1.233 miod 114: <li>EB164 based machines (including PC164, 164SX, 164LX, but <b>NOT</b> the
1.229 jsg 115: 164UX)<br>
1.239 jsg 116: <li>AlphaStation 600A, 1200
117: <li>AlphaServer 800 (also known as Digital Server 3300 and 3305), 1000, 1000A
118: <li>AlphaServer 1200, 4000 and 4100
119: <li>AlphaServer 300, 400 and AlphaStation 200, 250, 255 and 400
1.229 jsg 120: <li>AlphaStation 500 and 600
121: <li>AXPpci based machines (including ``Noname'', UDB, Multia)
122: <li>DEC 3000 models 300{,L,X,LX}
123: <li>DEC 3000 models 400,500,500X,600,700,800,900
124: </ul>
1.116 krw 125:
1.229 jsg 126: <h4>Unsupported Machines</h4>
1.18 johns 127: <ul>
1.233 miod 128: <li>DECpc AXP150 (2000/300) ``Jensen'' systems (EISA-bus PC-like systems)
1.238 jsg 129: <li>AlphaServer 2000, 2100 and 2100A
1.240 jsg 130: <li>AlphaServer 8200, 8400, GS60 and GS140
1.238 jsg 131: <li>AlphaServer ES47, ES80 and GS1280
132: <li>AlphaServer GS80, GS160 and GS320
1.233 miod 133: <li>Alpha XL systems (no SRM)
134: <li>DEC 4000, 7000, and 10000 systems (FutureBus+ and XMIBus-based)
135: <li>EB64+ based systems
136: <li>Samsung 164BX/UX (no SRM)
137: <li>VME Alpha systems
1.238 jsg 138: <li>Tadpole ALPHAbook
1.4 niklas 139: </ul>
140:
1.229 jsg 141: <h4>Supported devices</h4>
1.50 nate 142: <ul>
1.230 jsg 143: <li>Host Controllers and Bridges, including:
144: <ul>
145: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=tcasic&arch=alpha&sektion=4">tcasic(4)</a>
146: TURBOchannel host bus,
147: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=lca&arch=alpha&sektion=4">lca(4)</a>
148: DECchip 21066 Core Logic,
149: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=apecs&arch=alpha&sektion=4">apecs(4)</a>
150: DECchip 21072/21071 Core Logic,
151: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=cia&arch=alpha&sektion=4">cia(4)</a>
152: DECchip 2117x Core Logic,
153: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=tsc&arch=alpha&sektion=4">tsc(4)</a>
1.241 miod 154: DECchip 21272 and 21274 Core Logic,
1.230 jsg 155: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=irongate&arch=alpha&sektion=4">irongate(4)</a>
156: API UP1000 AMD751 Core Logic and AGP,
157: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=mcbus&arch=alpha&sektion=4">mcbus(4)</a>
158: MCBUS System Bus.
159: </ul>
1.231 jsg 160: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=com&arch=alpha&sektion=4">com(4)</a>
161: built-in serial.
162: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=lpt&arch=alpha&sektion=4">lpt(4)</a>
163: built-in parallel.
164: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=de&arch=alpha&sektion=4">de(4)</a>
165: built-in DEC Ethernet.
166: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=fxp&arch=alpha&sektion=4">fxp(4)</a>
167: built-in i8255x Ethernet.
168: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=le&arch=alpha&sektion=4">le(4)</a>
169: built-in LANCE Ethernet.
170: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=isp&arch=alpha&sektion=4">isp(4)</a>
171: built-in ISP SCSI controller.
172: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=ahc&arch=alpha&sektion=4">ahc(4)</a>
173: built-in Adaptec SCSI controller.
174: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=siop&arch=alpha&sektion=4">siop(4)</a>
175: built-in 53C810 SCSI controller.
176: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=asc&arch=alpha&sektion=4">asc(4)</a>
177: built-in 53C94/53CF94-2 SCSI controller.
178: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=pciide&arch=alpha&sektion=4">pciide(4)</a>
179: built-in IDE controller.
180: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=usb&arch=alpha&sektion=4">usb(4)</a>
181: built-in USB supports most USB devices.
1.236 jasper 182: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=uvideo&arch=alpha&sektion=4">uvideo(4)</a>
183: UVC-compatible Video devices.
1.231 jsg 184: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=pci&arch=alpha&sektion=4">pci(4)</a>
185: most PCI devices.
186: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=isa&arch=alpha&sektion=4">isa(4)</a>
187: some ISA devices.
188: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=eisa&arch=alpha&sektion=4">eisa(4)</a>
189: some EISA devices.
1.232 jsg 190: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=pckbd&arch=alpha&sektion=4">pckbd(4)</a>
191: PS/2 and AT keyboards.
192: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=pms&arch=alpha&sektion=4">pms(4)</a>
193: PS/2 mice.
1.231 jsg 194: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=le&arch=alpha&sektion=4">le(4)</a>
195: TURBOchannel LANCE Ethernet cards (PMAD-A) on DEC 3000.
196: <li><a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=asc&arch=alpha&sektion=4">asc(4)</a>
197: TURBOchannel SCSI (53C94) (PMAZ-A) on DEC 3000.
1.229 jsg 198: </ul>
199:
200: <h4>Unsupported devices</h4>
201: <ul>
202: <li>Floppy drive.
203: <li>ISA devices that require DMA operation.
204: <li>ISA IDE controller
205: (<a href="http://www.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=wdc&arch=alpha&sektion=4">wdc</a>)
206: on the EB164.
207: <li>Built-in framebuffer on DEC 3000.
1.189 martin 208: </ul>
209:
1.3 fn 210: <hr>
1.265 bentley 211:
212: <h3 id="install"><font color="#0000e0">
1.98 miod 213: <strong>Getting and installing OpenBSD/alpha:</strong>
214: </font></h3>
215:
216: <p>
217: The latest supported OpenBSD/alpha release is
1.266 nick 218: <a href="57.html">OpenBSD 5.7</a>.
1.98 miod 219: Here are the
1.266 nick 220: <a href="http://ftp.OpenBSD.org/pub/OpenBSD/5.7/alpha/INSTALL.alpha">
221: OpenBSD/alpha 5.7 installation instructions
1.98 miod 222: </a>.
223:
224: <p>
225: Snapshots are made available from time to time, in
1.255 sthen 226: <a href="http://ftp.OpenBSD.org/pub/OpenBSD/snapshots/alpha">this location</a>
1.98 miod 227: as well as in a few
228: <a href="ftp.html">mirrors</a>.
229: Here are the
1.255 sthen 230: <a href="http://ftp.OpenBSD.org/pub/OpenBSD/snapshots/alpha/INSTALL.alpha">
1.98 miod 231: OpenBSD/alpha snapshot installation instructions
232: </a> as well.
233:
234: <p>
235: There are several installation media provided:
1.116 krw 236:
1.98 miod 237: <ul>
238: <li><strong>CD boot</strong>
239: <p>
240: Booting off the OpenBSD CD provides an <i>El Torito</i> 2.88MB floppy image
241: that contains drivers for the most popular devices found in alpha
242: hardware.
243: This also includes minimal USB support (storage devices, keyboard and
1.231 jsg 244: some Ethernet adapters).<br>
1.98 miod 245: For the latest list of drivers available on this image, please take a
246: look at the
1.262 nick 247: <a href="http://cvsweb.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb/src/sys/arch/alpha/conf/RAMDISKBIG?rev=HEAD">RAMDISKBIG</a>
1.98 miod 248: kernel configuration file.
1.269 ! sobrado 249: <li><strong>Floppy A</strong> (floppy57.fs)
1.98 miod 250: <p>
251: This 1.44MB floppy image supports the following alpha hardware:
252: <ul>
1.116 krw 253: <li>AlphaStation 200, 250, 255, 400
254: <!-- <li>AlphaStation 500, 600 -->
1.213 martin 255: <li>AlphaServer 800, 1000, 1000A, 1200, and 4100
1.116 krw 256: <li>AXPpci33 based machines, such as the ``Noname'', UDB, and Multia
257: <li>EB164 based machines, such as the PC164, 164SX and 164LX
258: <li>Personal Workstation (Miata)
1.98 miod 259: </ul>
1.116 krw 260: <p>
1.98 miod 261: It contains support for the on-board devices found on these machines,
1.234 sthen 262: however due to lack of space there are only a few other drivers.
1.98 miod 263: In particular, <i>this floppy lacks cdrom support</i> and will <i>not</i>
264: allow installation from cdrom media.<br>
265: For the latest list of drivers available on this image, please take a
266: look at the
1.262 nick 267: <a href="http://cvsweb.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb/src/sys/arch/alpha/conf/RAMDISK?rev=HEAD">RAMDISK</a>
1.98 miod 268: kernel configuration file.
1.269 ! sobrado 269: <li><strong>Floppy B</strong> (floppyB57.fs)
1.98 miod 270: <p>
271: This 1.44MB floppy image supports the following alpha hardware:
272: <ul>
1.116 krw 273: <li>Alpha Processor, Inc. UP1000
274: <li>XP1000, 264DP, DS10, and DS20, CS20
275: <li>Alpha Processor, Inc. UP2000, UP2000+
1.241 miod 276: <li>DS15, DS15A, DS25, ES45, and TS15, TS202C
1.98 miod 277: </ul>
1.116 krw 278: <p>
1.98 miod 279: It contains support for the on-board devices found on these machines,
1.234 sthen 280: however due to lack of space there are only a few other drivers.
1.98 miod 281: In particular, <i>this floppy lacks cdrom support</i> and will <i>not</i>
282: allow installation from cdrom media.<br>
283: For the latest list of drivers available on this image, please take a
284: look at the
1.262 nick 285: <a href="http://cvsweb.openbsd.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb/src/sys/arch/alpha/conf/RAMDISKB?rev=HEAD">RAMDISKB</a>
1.98 miod 286: kernel configuration file.
287: </ul>
288:
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