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+OpenBSD/arc runs on the machines compatible with the Advanced RISC +Computing specification, known as ARC machines, based on MIPS processors +and initially designed to run Microsoft Windows NT. +Such machines include the long dead Acer PICA, as well other machines +manufactured by other companies such as MIPS, Deskstation, NEC, and Olivetti. +
+ ++The ARC specification is extinct, and no new ARC BIOS machines for MIPS will +likely be manufactured. +Microsoft has announced that it will no longer support MIPS after NT 4.0. +OpenBSD/arc used to provide a good alternative to NT. +
+ ++The OpenBSD/arc port has been +discontinued after the 2.3 release. +
+ ++There is currently no one working on bringing this port back to life. +The source code is still available in the CVS Attic, and code can be found in +NetBSD as well. +If you are interested in reviving the arc port, make it work and contact +Per Fogelström and +Warner Losh. +
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+ +-The early history is not very clear. Apparently the first work was -done by CMU as part of their Mach project. The initial hardware was -the DEC R2000/R3000-based DECstations. This code was later used by -both the Sprite and BSD groups. The 4.4BSD code, known as the `pmax' -port, was made freely available in mid '93. It was merged into the -NetBSD tree by a variety of people, but has never been very stable, -reliable, or complete. Compiler toolkit problems have plagued the -port because the standard a.out executable format is an imperfect -match to the MIPS architecture. +The early history of this port is not very clear. Apparently the first work was +done by CMU as part of their Mach project. The initial hardware was the DEC +R2000/R3000-based DECstations. This code was later used by both the Sprite and +BSD groups. The 4.4BSD code, known as the pmax +port, was made freely available in mid 1993. It was merged into the +NetBSD tree by a variety of people, but took several years to really become +stable and mature, mainly because of compiler toolchain problems.
Per Fogelström became familiar with the code after porting it to a -home-built IDT R3081 based board. Subsequently he added R4400 support -when porting it to the MIPS R4400 Acer PICA board. Willowglen +home-built IDT R3081 based board. Subsequently he added R4400 support +when porting it to the MIPS R4400 Acer PICA board. Willowglen Singapore purchased a second PICA board for Theo de Raadt so that he could improve the port for use as a development system for an internal -project. Since then Theo, Per and others have completed the port. +project. Since then Theo, Per and others have completed the port.
-The Acer PICA is a dead platform. Acer no longer makes the machine, -but even worse the machines are very rare. But the Acer PICA was just -one of a whole family of similar machines built by other companies -like MIPS, Deskstation, NEC, Olivetti. These machines were known as -ARC machines, built according to the - -Advanced RISC Computing specification. -No new ARC BIOS machines for MIPS will likely be manufactured. -Microsoft has announced that it will no longer support MIPS after NT 4.0. -OpenBSD/arc provides a good alternative to NT, especially now that no more OS -updates for NT MIPS will happen. Deskstation has ceased business operations, -so there will be no more ARC MIPS machines from them. +As a result, the code has been modified to make it more versatile, and +eventually support a larger range of ARC machines. Unfortunately the death +of this platform, as well as the lack of general availability of this hardware, +eventually turned people away from working on this port. Eventually, it was +decided to stop supporting it and remove the code from the tree.
+ +-As a result, the code has been modified to make it more versatile, and -eventually it should support a larger whole range of ARC machines. -Hopefully a port will result that can run on the full range of MIPS -processors: R4000, R4xx, R43xx, R4400, R46x0, R4700, R5000, -R8000 and R10000. +
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-The people working the most on OpenBSD/arc currently consists of -Per Fogelström, Theo de Raadt, Niklas Hallqvist, Warner Losh, -and a few others. Of course, others are very welcome! -
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-The ARC port is complete, including everything you can expect -on any OpenBSD port. -
--Snapshots are made available from time to time. + +
-Send mail to Warner Losh and -Per Fogelström. +The last supported OpenBSD/arc release has been +OpenBSD 2.3. +It is not available on ftp sites anymore, but it was available on CD.
-www@openbsd.org
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