version 1.14, 1997/01/29 01:54:37 |
version 1.15, 1997/04/19 23:58:16 |
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OpenBSD/sparc can be correctly described as NetBSD/sparc + improvements. |
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The people working the most on OpenBSD/sparc currently consists of |
The people working the most on OpenBSD/sparc currently consists of |
Theo de Raadt, Jason Downs, and probably Chuck Cranor again now that it |
Theo de Raadt, Jason Downs, and probably Chuck Cranor again now that it |
once again works. |
once again works. |
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An important note about OpenBSD/sparc is that it is designed so that |
An important note about OpenBSD/sparc is that it is designed so that |
a single kernel can run on *ALL* sparc machines. Whereas SunOS and |
a single kernel can run on *ALL* sparc machines. Whereas SunOS and |
Solaris have always had `kernel architectures', ie. sun4, sun4c, and |
Solaris have always had separate `kernel architectures', ie. sun4, sun4c, |
sun4m, the same `GENERIC' OpenBSD kernel will run on all the models. |
and sun4m, the same `GENERIC' OpenBSD kernel will run on all the supported |
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models. |
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OpenBSD/sparc can be reasonably described as a continuation of the |
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NetBSD/sparc development with improvements. The current status is |
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somewhere between under development and ready for gneral use, in that |
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it does support many of the Sparc based systems and their peripherals, |
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and can be quite reliable depending on the system configuration and |
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usage. |
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Most of the problems are believed to stem from the wide variety of sparc |
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processor and cache implementations along with their undocumented bugs, |
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rather then general kernal problems. |
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Feedback on which models do and do not work reliably is |
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appreciated, particularly with the newer sun4m implementations like the |
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Fujitsu TurboSparc and Ross HyperSparc based systems and upgrades. |
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The installation tools and process as of the 2.0 release are currently not |
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in user-friendly form, as most developers short-cut the process from running |
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SunOS or OpenBSD systems. This situation is currently being improved. |
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<hr> |
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<a href=ftp.html>Snapshots are made available from time to time.</a> |
<a href=ftp.html>Snapshots are made available from time to time.</a> |
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<li> sun4: the 4/100, 4/200, and 4/300 |
<li> sun4: the 4/100, 4/200, and 4/300 |
<li> sun4m machines: at least the LC, LX, 4, 5, 10, and 20. A few cpu |
<li> sun4m machines: at least the LC, LX, 4, 5, 10, and 20. A few cpu |
combinations do not work reliably. |
combinations do not work reliably. |
<li> Typically it works on clones of these machines |
<li> Typically it works on faithful clones of these machines |
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<h4>Supported devices. This list of basically declares that any `stock' sun4c |
<h4>Supported devices. This list of basically declares that any `stock' sun4c |
"sparcstation" machine will probably work; for sun4 machines one must be more |
"sparcstation" machine will probably work; for sun4 machines one must be more |
careful.</h4> |
careful.</h4> |
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<h4>OpenBSD/sparc does *not* run on these machines (yet):</h4> |
<h4>OpenBSD/sparc does *not* run on these machines (yet):</h4> |
<ul> |
<ul> |
<li> 4/400 (lacks support for the I/O cache, and has ethernet problems) |
<li> 4/400 (lacks support for the I/O cache, and has ethernet problems) |
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<li> older sun4m systems with Viking (TMS390Z55) processor modules without |
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external cache chips, aka SuperCache, aka MXCC, aka PAC. |
<li> the VME sun4m model --4/600 |
<li> the VME sun4m model --4/600 |
<li> sun4d: sparc center 1000/2000 |
<li> sun4d: sparc center 1000/2000 |
<li> the new Ultra sparc-64 machines... |
<li> the new Ultra sparc-64 machines... |
<li> It does not work on most Solbourne machines, which are quite different. |
<li> It does not work on most Solbourne machines, which are quite different. |
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OpenBSD/Sparc on the 4c/4m machines is criticaly dependent on configuration |
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information returned by the openboot prom. A sparc clone that differs |
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substantially from the Sun model as far as device names and properties will |
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require additional work in this area. |
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<h4>Unsupported Devices. First of all, there are MANY unsupported devices. |
<h4>Unsupported Devices. First of all, there are MANY unsupported devices. |
A comprehensive list can probably not be written.</h4> |
A comprehensive list can probably not be written.</h4> |
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<li> VME GP/GP2 Graphics Processor |
<li> VME GP/GP2 Graphics Processor |
<li> sbus cgeight 24-bit video card (note: sbus cgeight is quite different from |
<li> sbus cgeight 24-bit video card (note: sbus cgeight is quite different from |
VME cgeight) |
VME cgeight) |
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<li> sbus cards other than the standard video/scsi/ethernet listed above |
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<li> On-board Audio and ISDN hardware present on some sun4m systems |
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<li> Multiple Processors/Modules in sun4m systems (OpenBSD will run, but only uses one processor) |
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<hr> |
<hr> |