OpenBSD/alpha

OpenBSD/alpha runs on a large set of the alpha computers manufactured by Digital (then Compaq, now Hewlett-Packard).

A mailing list dedicated to the OpenBSD/alpha port is available at alpha@openbsd.org. To join the OpenBSD/alpha mailing list, send a message body of "subscribe alpha" to majordomo@openbsd.org. Please be sure to check our mailing list policy before subscribing.

There is currently no maintainer for the alpha port. Technical discussion about the alpha port should be directed to the alpha@openbsd.org mailing list. If you are interested in the job of alpha port maintainer, help out the project for a while and step up to the job.

Table of contents

• History of the port
• Current status
• Project list
• Supported hardware
• Getting and installing OpenBSD/alpha

History:

The OpenBSD/alpha port was started in the summer of 1996 by using code from the NetBSD/alpha port which was started by Chris Demetriou in 1994. After the original OpenBSD port, some copyright issues prevented OpenBSD from tracking the NetBSD code. Regardless, work on the alpha port continued and many fixes were made. Meanwhile, NetBSD continued to make improvements to the alpha port which we were unfortunately unable to use. Over time, because of a lack of programmer resources and the inability to use NetBSD code, hardware and software support became very outdated. This caused the 2.5 and 2.6 releases of alpha to have few kernel enhancements. As a result of its becoming so stale, there was no OpenBSD/alpha port included in the 2.7 and 2.8 releases.

Shortly after OpenBSD 2.8 was released, there has been a great deal of interest in bringing the port up to date. This, coupled with the fact that NetBSD changed the license on its alpha code so that there were no longer copyright issues has lead to an effort to bring the alpha port back up. (For details on why we were not able to keep tracking the NetBSD code, check our policy page.)

Nathan Binkert, Art Grabowski, Niklas Hallqvist and Eric Jackson, with the help of a few others, eventually brought the port in good shape again, and starting with the 2.9 release OpenBSD/alpha is a supported OpenBSD port again.

Current status:

Currently, all the hardware listed in the supported hardware section below boots multi-user, and supports enough of the on-board devices to be generally usable, unless specified otherwise. A large set of PCI cards also work reliably, while ISA devices support has limitations.

X11 is supported on TGA cards, as well as a few regular PCI cards on newer (BWX enabled) machines, of which the following have been tested:

• 3DFX Interactive Banshee
• 3DLabs Permedia 2 (8, 15, 16 and 24 bits depth)
• ATI Rage Pro (works with 'Option "NoAccel"')
• ATI Rage 128
• Cirrus Logic CL5430 (works with 'Option "NoAccel"')
• Cirrus Logic GD5446 (8, 16 and 24 bits depth)
• Matrox MGA 2064 (8, 16 and 24 bits depth, works with 'Option "NoInt10"')

More cards will be supported as time and resources permits.

Projects (in no particular order):

• Testing more platforms and peripherals, to find what issues are remaining and improve overall stability
• Improve port-specific documentation
• Support recent OSF/1 binaries and shared libraries in compatibility mode
• Support DMA for ISA devices
• Floppy support (requires working ISA DMA first)
• Fix 64-bit issues in the non-working PCI drivers
• Improve X11 support
• Make X11 work on PCI VGA cards for machines without BWX

Supported hardware:

To the best of our knowledge, the following hardware is supported, but there might be occasional breakage on some models. Since there are many models and combinations that have not been tested, we would appreciate very much if you told us about things that work and do not work. To help us keep track of what hardware people use, please mail your dmesg to dmesg@openbsd.org. If there are things that do not work, please file a bug report using sendbug(1).

^(#) Support for hardware marked with (#) was added after the 3.8 release.

Supported Machines:

• 264DP, CS20, DS10, DS20, XP900, XP1000, and other EV6 machines using the Tsunami chipset
  (Only one processor will be used on multiprocessor models)
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21143 (de) or Intel i8255x-based (fxp) ethernet.
    • Built-in ISP (isp) or Adaptec (ahc) SCSI controller.
    • Built-in IDE controller (pciide).
    • Built-in USB (usb).
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • ISA devices that require DMA operation.
• API UP1000, UP2000, and UP2000+ and other EV6 machines using the Irongate chipset
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21040 (de) ethernet.
    • Built-in IDE controller (pciide).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • ISA devices that require DMA operation.
• Digital Personal Workstation (Miata)
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21043 (de) ethernet.
    • Built-in ISP SCSI (isp), when present (i.e. on au models).
    • Built-in IDE controller (pciide).
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • Built-in audio.
    • ISA devices that require DMA operation.
• EB164 based machines (including PC164, 164SX, 164LX, but NOT the 164UX)
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in PCI IDE controller (pciide), when present.
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • ISA IDE controller (wdc) on the EB164.
    • ISA devices that require DMA operation.
• AlphaServer 800, 1000 and 1000A
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21040 (de) ethernet.
    • Built-in ISP SCSI (isp).
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA and EISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • ISA and EISA devices that require DMA operation.
• AlphaStation 500 and 600
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21040 (de) ethernet.
    • Built-in ISP SCSI (isp).
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA and EISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • Built-in audio.
    • ISA and EISA devices that require DMA operation.
• AlphaStation 200, 250, 255 and 400
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21040 (de) ethernet.
    • Built-in ISP SCSI (isp).
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • Built-in audio.
    • ISA devices that require DMA operation.
• AXPpci based machines (including ``Noname'', UDB, Multia)
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial (com) and parallel (lpt) ports.
    • Built-in DEC21040 (de) ethernet.
    • Built-in 53C810 SCSI (siop)
    • Built-in IDE controller (pciide), but will not boot from it.
    • Most PCI devices (see below).
    • Some ISA devices (see below).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Floppy drive.
    • ISA devices that require DMA operation.
• DEC 3000 models 300{,L,X,LX}
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial ports (console on serial port) (scc).
    • Built-in LANCE ethernet (le).
    • Built-in SCSI (53C94) (asc).
    • TURBOchannel LANCE ethernet cards (PMAD-A) (le).
    • TURBOchannel SCSI (53C94) (PMAZ-A) (asc).
    • TURBOchannel DEFTA FDDI cards (PMAF-FA) (fta).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Built-in ISDN/audio chip.
    • Built-in framebuffer.
    • Other TURBOchannel cards.
• DEC 3000 models 400,500,500X,600,700,800,900
  
  • Supported devices:
    • Built-in serial ports (console on serial port) (scc).
    • Built-in LANCE ethernet (le).
    • Built-in SCSI (53C94 or 53CF94-2) (asc).
    • TURBOchannel LANCE ethernet cards (PMAD-A) (le).
    • TURBOchannel SCSI (53C94) (PMAZ-A) (asc).
    • TURBOchannel DEFTA FDDI cards (PMAF-FA). (fta).
  • Unsupported devices:
    • Built-in ISDN/audio chip.
    • Built-in framebuffer.
    • Other TURBOchannel cards.
• At this time none of the following systems are supported:
  • API UP2000, UP2000+ (mostly because we don't have any to test on.)
  • DECpc AXP150 (2000/300) systems (EISA-bus PC-like systems)
  • AlphaServer systems, other than model 400, which seem to be disguised AlphaStation machines.
  • Alpha XL systems. (No SRM)
  • DEC 4000, 7000, and 10000 systems (FutureBus+ and XMIBus ­based).
  • EB64+ based systems.
  • Samsung 164BX/UX. (No SRM)
  • Multiprocessor Alpha systems (though they will run fine using one processor only, if the model is listed as supported above).
  • VME Alpha systems.

Supported Peripherals:

• PCI IDE Controllers (pciide)
  • Acer Labs M5229
  • CMD Tech PCI0640, PCI0643, PCI0646, PCI0648, and PCI0649
  • Contaq Microsystems/Cypress CY82C693
  Any other PCI IDE-compliant controller should work, but are untested at this point.
• SCSI Host Adapters
  • Adaptec AIC-7770, AIC-7850, AIC-7860, AIC-7870, AIC-7880, AIC-7890, AIC-7891, AIC-7892, AIC-7895, AIC-7896, AIC-7897 and AIC-7899 based host adapters (ahc)^(*) including the Adaptec cards
    • AHA-274X[W,T]
    • AHA-284X
    • AHA-2910, AHA-2915
    • AHA-2920
    • AHA-2930[C,U2]
    • AHA-2940[J,N,U,AU,UW,UW Dual,UW Pro,U2W,U2B]
    • AHA-2950[U2W,U2B]
    • AHA-3940[U,AU,UW,AUW,U2W]
    • AHA-3950U2
    • AHA-3960
    • AHA-3985
    • AHA-4944UW
    • AHA-19160B
    • AHA-29160[B,N]
    • AHA-39160
  • QLogic PCI SCSI controllers (isp)
  • Symbios Logic (NCR) 53C8xx, 53C1010 and 53C1510D-based PCI SCSI host adapters (including generic/no name cards, old ASUS cards, the DTC-3130 series, Diamond Fireport series, etc.) (siop)
  • AMD Am53c974 PCscsi-PCI host adapters including the Tekram DC-390 (pcscp)^(*)
• Ethernet Adapters
  • 3Com 3c9xx EtherLink XL adapters (xl), including: ^(*)
    • 3Com 3c900/3c900B PCI adapters
    • 3Com 3c905/3c905B/3c905C PCI adapters
    • 3Com 3c980/3c980C server adapters
    • 3Com 3cSOHO adapter
    • 3Com 3c900B-FL and 3c900B-FL/FX fiber optic adapters
  • 3Com 3c990 3XP Typhoon/Sidewinder PCI adapters (txp), including: ^(-)
    • 3CR990-TX-95
    • 3CR990-TX-97
    • 3CR990-SVR95
    • 3CR990-SVR97
  • ADMtek AL981 ("Comet") and AN983 ("Centaur-P") based PCI adapters (dc), including: ^(*)
    • Accton EN2242 MiniPCI
    • Linksys LNE100TX v4.x
    • Mototech ME316
  • ASIX 88140A/88141-based PCI adapters (dc), including: ^(*)
    • CNet Pro110B
    • Alfa Inc. GFC2204
  • Davicom DM9009, DM9100, DM9102, and DM9102A based PCI adapters (dc), including: ^(*)
    • Jaton XpressNet
  • Lite-On PNIC/PNIC-II-based adapters (dc), including: ^(*)
    • Kingston KNE110TX
    • Linksys LNE100TX
    • Matrox Networks FastNIC 10/100
    • Netgear FA310TX
  • Macronix 98713/98715/98725-based adapters (dc), including: ^(*)
    • Accton EN1217
    • Addtron AEF-320TX/AEF-330TX
    • NDC Communications SOHOware SFA110A
    • SVEC PN102-TX Fast Ethernet card
  • ASIX Electronics AX88172 based USB adapters (axe), including: ^(*)
    • ATEN UC210T
    • BAFO BF-320
    • Billionton Systems USB2AR
    • Buffalo(MELCO) LUA-U2-KTX
    • Corega FEther USB2-TX
    • D-Link DUB-E100
    • Good Way GWUSB2E
    • Hawking UF200
    • Intellinet USB 2.0 to Ethernet (rev A)
    • JVC MP-PRX1
    • Linksys USB200M
    • Netgear FA120
    • Sitecom LN-029
    • SMC 2209USB/ETH
    • SnapPort USB 2.0 LAN Adapter
    • ST Lab USB 2.0 Fast Ethernet
    • Surecom EP-1427X-2
    • System TALKS SGC-X2UL
    • TRENDnet TU2-ET100
    • Z-TEK ZK-R01-2
  • Davicom DM9601 USB Ethernet adapters (udav), including: ^(*)
    • Corega FEther USB-TXC
  • DEC EtherWORKS III adapters (lc), including:
    • DEC DE203, DE204, DE205
  • Digital DC21x4x-based PCI adapters (de), including:
    • Older SMC PCI EtherPower 10, 10/100 (models 8432, 9332, and 9334)
    • Older Linksys 10, 10/100 (newer models are supported by other drivers)
    • Znyx ZX3xx
    • Cogent EM100FX and EM440TX
    • Digital PCI DE435, EISA DE425, DE450, DE500
    • Asante 21140A
    • D-Link DFE-570TX Quad port
    • Almost all other variants work.
  • Digital DC2114x-based four port cards, (de) including:
    • Adaptec ANA-6944A
    • Cogent EM400
    • Compex 400TX
    • Znyx ZX346
  • Intel i8255x-based (except the i82556) PCI adapters (fxp), including:
    • Intel EtherExpress PRO/10+
    • Intel EtherExpress PRO/100, PRO/100B, and PRO/100+
    • Intel EtherExpress PRO/100+ "Management Adapter"
    • Intel EtherExpress PRO/100 Dual Port
  • Intel 21145-based PCI adapters (dc)
  • Novell NE1000, NE2000 (ISA, and PCI variants thereof) (ne) ^(*)
  • SMC 83C170 ("EtherPower II") (EPIC/100) (epic) ^(*)
  • RealTek 8129/8139-based adapters (rl), including: ^(*)
    • Accton MPX5030 CardBus
    • Allied Telesyn AT2550
    • Corega FEther CB-TXD 10/100 Ethernet
    • D-Link DFE530TX+, DFE538TX, DFE-690TXD
    • Encore ENL832-TX-RENT 10/100 M PCI
    • Genius GF100TXR
    • KTX-9130TX 10/100 Fast Ethernet
    • Longshine LCS-8038TX-R
    • NDC Communications NE100TX-E
    • Netronix Inc. EA-1210 NetEther 10/100
    • Nortel BayStack 21
    • OvisLink LEF-8129TX, LEF-8139TX
    • SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI 1211-TX
    • TRENDnet TE100-PCBUSR CardBus
  • VIA Rhine/RhineII/RhineIII Ethernet adapters (vr), including: ^(*)
    • Addtron AEF-360TX
    • Hawking PN102TX
    • D-Link DFE530TX
  • AMD PCnet-based PCI adapters (pcn), including: ^(*)
    • BOCALANcard/PCI
    • AT&T StarLAN 10, EN100, and StarLAN Fiber
  • National Semiconductor DP83815/DP83816-based PCI adapters (sis), including: ^(*)
    • Netgear FA311
    • Netgear FA312
    • Netgear FA331
  • SiS 900 and SiS 7016-based PCI adapters (sis), including: ^(*)
    • Mototech ME313
    • NetSurf NS-KFE30D

  Please be aware that many NE2000-compatible adapters fail or perform very poorly. We do not recommend using them, but your mileage may vary.

• Gigabit Ethernet Adapters
  • Alteon Tigon I/II-based adapters (ti), including:
    • 3Com 3c985 and 3c985B
    • Alteon ACEnic V (fiber and copper)
    • Digital EtherWORKS 1000SX
    • Farallon PN9000SX
    • Netgear GA620 and GA620T
    • SGI Tigon
  • Intel i82540, i82541, i82542, i82543, i82544, i82545, i82546, i82547, i82571, i82572 and i82573 based adapters (em), including: ^(*)
    • HP ProLiant NC310F PCI-X Gigabit NIC (SX Fiber)
    • HP ProLiant NC340T PCI-X Gigabit NIC
    • HP ProLiant NC6134 PCI Gigabit NIC (SX Fiber)
    • HP ProLiant NC6136 PCI Gigabit NIC (SX Fiber)
    • HP ProLiant NC6170 PCI-X Gigabit NIC (SX Fiber)
    • HP ProLiant NC7131 PCI Gigabit NIC
    • HP ProLiant NC7170 PCI-X Gigabit NIC
    • HP ProLiant NC7170LP PCI-X Gigabit NIC
    • Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Server Adapter (SX Fiber) (PWLA8490)
    • Intel PRO/1000F Gigabit Server Adapter (SX Fiber) (PWLA8490SX)
    • Intel PRO/1000T Server Adapter (PWLA8490T)
    • Intel PRO/1000XT Server Adapter (PWLA8490XT)
    • Intel PRO/1000XS Server Adapter (SX Fiber) (PWLA8490XF)
    • Intel PRO/1000T Desktop Adapter (PWLA8390T)
    • Intel PRO/1000XTL Low Profile PCI Server (PWLA8490XTL)
    • Intel PRO/1000MT Desktop Adapter (PWLA8390MT)
    • Intel PRO/1000MT Server Adapter (PWLA8490MT)
    • Intel PRO/1000MT Dual Port Server Adapter (PWLA8492MT)
    • Intel PRO/1000MF Server Adapter (SX Fiber) (PWLA8490MF)
    • Intel PRO/1000MF Dual Port Server Adapter (SX Fiber) (PWLA8492MF)
    • Intel PRO/1000MF Server Adapter (LX Fiber) (PWLA8490LX)
    • Intel PRO/1000MT Quad PCI-X Adapter (PWLA8494MT)
  • Broadcom BCM570x (a.k.a. Tigon3) based PCI adapters (bge), including: ^(-)
    • 3Com 3c996-T (10/100/1000baseT)
    • 3Com 3c996-SX (1000baseSX)
    • 3Com 3c996B-T (10/100/1000baseT)
    • HP ProLiant NC320T PCI-E Gigabit NIC (10/100/1000baseT)
    • HP ProLiant NC370F PCI-X Gigabit NIC (1000baseSX)
    • HP ProLiant NC370T PCI-X Gigabit NIC (10/100/1000baseT)
    • HP ProLiant NC1020 PCI Gigabit NIC (10/100/1000baseT)
    • HP ProLiant NC6770 PCI-X Gigabit NIC (1000baseSX)
    • HP ProLiant NC7770 PCI-X Gigabit NIC (10/100/1000baseT)
    • HP ProLiant NC7771 PCI-X Gigabit NIC (10/100/1000baseT)
    • Netgear GA302T (10/100/1000baseT)
    • SysKonnect SK-9D21 (10/100/1000baseT)
    • SysKonnect SK-9D41 (1000baseSX)
  • Realtek 8169/8169S/8110S based PCI adapters (re), including: ^(*)
    • Buffalo LGY-PCI-GT (8169S)
    • Corega CG-LAPCIGT (8169S)
    • D-Link DGE-528T (8169S)
    • Gigabyte 7N400 Pro2 Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (8110S)
    • LevelOne GNC-0105T (8169S)
    • Linksys EG1032v3 (8169S)
    • Netgear GA511 PC Card (8169)
    • PLANEX COMMUNICATIONS Inc. GN-1200TC (8169S)
    • Surecom EP-320G-TX1 (8169S)
    • US Robotics USR997902 (8169S)
    • Xterasys XN-152 10/100/1000 NIC (8169)
  • Sundance/Tamarack TC9021 based PCI adapters (stge), including: ^(-)
    • Allied Telesis CentreCOM LA1000-PCI-T
    • Antares Microsystems TC9021
    • D-Link DGE-550T
  • SysKonnect and Marvell based GigE(sk), including:
    • SysKonnect SK-9821 (1000baseT)
    • SysKonnect SK-9822 (dual 1000baseT)
    • SysKonnect SK-9841 (1000baseLX)
    • SysKonnect SK-9842 (dual 1000baseLX)
    • SysKonnect SK-9843 (1000baseSX)
    • SysKonnect SK-9844 (dual 1000baseSX)
    • SysKonnect SK-9521 v2.0 (1000baseT 32-bit)
    • SysKonnect SK-9821 v2.0 (1000baseT)
    • SysKonnect SK-9843 v2.0 (1000baseSX)
    • 3Com 3c940 (1000baseT)
    • 3Com 3c2000-T (1000baseT)
    • Linksys EG1032v2 (1000baseT)
    • Linksys EG1064v2 (1000baseT)
    • D-Link DGE-530T (1000baseT)
    • SMC 9452TX (1000baseT)
• Wireless Ethernet Adapters
  • Ralink RT2500 based PCI 802.11b/g adapters (ral), including: ^(*)
    • A-Link WL54H
    • Amigo AWI-922W mini-PCI
    • Amigo AWI-926W
    • AMIT WL531P
    • AOpen AOI-831
    • ASUS WL-130g
    • Atlantis Land A02-PCI-W54
    • Belkin F5D7000 v3
    • Billionton MIWLGRL mini-PCI
    • Canyon CN-WF511
    • CNet CWP-854
    • Compex WLP54G
    • Conceptronic C54Ri
    • Digitus DN-7006G-RA
    • E-Tech WGPI02
    • Edimax EW-7128g
    • Eminent EM3037
    • Encore ENLWI-G-RLAM
    • Fiberline WL-400P
    • Gigabyte GN-WIKG mini-PCI
    • Gigabyte GN-WPKG
    • Hawking HWP54GR
    • iNexQ CR054g-009 (R03)
    • JAHT WN-4054PCI
    • LevelOne WNC-0301 v2
    • Linksys WMP54G v4
    • Micronet SP906GK
    • Minitar MN54GPC-R
    • MSI MP54G2 mini-PCI
    • MSI PC54G2 PCI
    • OvisLink EVO-W54PCI
    • PheeNet HWL-PCIG/RA
    • Pro-Nets PC80211G
    • Repotec RP-WP0854
    • SATech SN-54P
    • Sitecom WL-115
    • Surecom EP-9321-g
    • Surecom EP-9321-g1
    • Sweex LC700030
    • TekComm NE-9321-g
    • Unex CR054g-R02
    • Zinwell ZWX-G360 mini-PCI
    • Zinwell ZWX-G361
    • Zonet ZEW1600
  • Ralink RT2500 based USB 2.0 802.11b/g adapters (ural), including: ^(*)
    • AMIT WL532U
    • ASUS WL-167g
    • Belkin F5D7050
    • Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54
    • Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-AI
    • Buffalo WLI-U2-KG54-YB
    • CNet CWD-854
    • Compex WLU54G
    • Conceptronic C54RU
    • D-Link DWL-G122 (b1)
    • Dynalink WLG25USB
    • E-Tech WGUS02
    • Eminent 3035
    • Gigabyte GN-WBKG
    • Hercules HWGUSB2-54
    • KCORP LifeStyle KLS-685
    • Linksys WUSB54G v4
    • Linksys WUSB54GP v4
    • MSI MS-6861
    • MSI MS-6865
    • MSI MS-6869
    • SerComm UB801R
    • SparkLAN WL-685R
    • Sphairon UB801R
    • Surecom EP-9001-g
    • Tonze UW-6200C
    • Zaapa ZNWUSB-54
    • Zinwell ZWX-G261
    • Zonet ZEW2500
  • Atheros AR521x based CardBus 802.11a/b/g adapters (ath), including: ^(*)
    • 3Com 3CRPAG175
    • Aztech WL830PC
    • D-Link DWL-A650
    • D-Link DWL-AB650
    • D-Link DWL-AG650
    • D-Link DWL-G650B
    • Elecom LD-WL54AG
    • Elecom LD-WL54
    • Fujitsu E5454
    • Fujitsu FMV-JW481
    • Fujitsu E5454
    • I/O Data WN-AB
    • I/O Data WN-AG
    • I/O Data WN-A54
    • Linksys WPC51AB
    • Linksys WPC55AG
    • NEC PA-WL/54AG
    • Netgear WAB501
    • Netgear WAG511
    • Netgear WG511T
    • Orinoco 8480
    • Orinoco 8470WD
    • Proxim Skyline 4030
    • Samsung SWL-5200N
    • SMC SMC2735W
    • Sony PCWA-C700
    • Sony PCWA-C300S
    • Sony PCWA-C500
  • Atheros AR521x based PCI 802.11a/b/g adapters (ath), including: ^(*)
    • D-Link DWL-A520
    • D-Link DWL-AG520
    • HP NC4000
    • Linksys WMP55AG
    • Netgear WAG311
    • Netgear WG311
    • Proxim Skyline 4032
    • Senao NL-5354MP
• FDDI Adapters ^(*)
  • Digital DEFPA PCI FDDI adapters (fpa)
• WAN Adapters ^(*)
  • SBE (formerly Lan Media Corporation) SSI (T1)/HSSI/DS1/DS3 WAN interfaces (lmc) (#)
  • Sangoma Technologies AFT T1/E1 WAN interfaces (san) (#)
• Cryptography Accelerators ^(*)
  • Hifn 7751/7811/7951/7955/7956-based boards (hifn), including:
    • Soekris Engineering vpn1201, vpn1211, vpn1401, and vpn1411
    • GTGI PowerCrypt Encryption Accelerator
    • NetSec 7751
    • Hifn 7751 and 9751 reference boards
    • Invertex AEON
• Sound Devices ^(*)
  • Ensoniq AudioPCI (eap)
  • SoundBlaster PCI128 (eap)
  • SoundBlaster Live! and PCI512 (EMU10k1) (emu) (#)
• Graphics Cards
  • TGA and TGA2 (PowerStorm) PCI cards (tga).
  • VGA-compatible ISA and PCI cards (vga).
• Communications Controllers ^(*)
  • Universal Serial Bus host controllers, including:
    • USB Universal Host Controller (uhci)
    • USB Open Host Controller (ohci)
• Universal Serial Bus (USB) Devices ^(*)
  • USB Audio (uaudio)
  • USB Diamond MultiMedia Rio MP3 players (urio)
  • USB Ethernet adapters (aue, axe, cue, kue, udav, url), see above
  • USB Generic Human Interface Devices (catch-all) (uhid)
  • USB Handspring Visor (uvisor)
  • USB Hubs (uhub)
  • USB Keyboards (ukbd)
  • USB Mass Storage devices, i.e., USB floppy drives and USB memory stick controllers (umass)
  • USB Mice (ums)
  • USB Modems (umodem)
  • USB Printers (ulpt)
  • USB Scanners (uscanner, usscanner)
  • USB-USB cables (upl)
• Radio Receiver Devices
  • Brooktree 848/849/878/879-based TV tuner cards (bktr) (#)
• Miscellaneous Devices
  • Brooktree 848/849/878/879-based video capture cards (bktr), including: (#)
    • Animation Technologies FlyVideo
    • AOpen VA1000
    • Askey/Dynalink Magic TView
    • ATI TV-Wonder and Wonder/VE
    • AverMedia cards
    • Hauppauge Wincast TV and WinTV/PCI
    • IMS TV Turbo
    • Intel Smart Video Recorder III
    • I/O DATA GV-BCTV2/PCI
    • I/O DATA GV-BCTV3/PCI
    • KISS TV/FM PCI
    • Leadtek Winfast TV 2000
    • Miro PC TV
    • MMAC Osprey
    • NEC PK-UG-X017
    • STB TV PCI Television Tuner
    • Terratec TerraTVplus
    • Video Highway XTreme
    • VideoLogic Captivator PCI
    • Zoltrix TV and Genie TV/FM

Untested Peripherals:

The following peripherals are compiled into the system, but are not known to work. It's our best guess that they do, but any feedback is appreciated.

• SCSI Host Adapters ^(*)
  • AdvanSys ABP940UW, ASB3940UW-00, ASB3940U2W-00 and ASB3950U160 PCI SCSI controllers. (adw)
• RAID and Cache Controllers ^(*)
  • 3ware Escalade 3W-5x00, 3W-6x00 and 3W-7x00 series (twe)
  • DPT SmartCache and SmartRaid III/IV PCI/EISA adapters (dpt)
  • ICP-Vortex and Intel GDT series (gdt)
• Serial Ports ^(*)
  • Cyclades PCI Cyclom-{4, 8, 16}Y serial boards (cy)
• Ethernet Adapters
  • 3Com 3c503 (ec) ^(*)
  • 3Com 3c509, 3c579, and 3c59x (ep) ^(*) (disabling PnP on 3c509B is recommended)
  • Adaptec "Starfire" AIC-6915 based PCI adapters (sf), including: ^(*)
    • Adaptec Single32 ANA-69011
    • Adaptec Single64 ANA-62011 and ANA-62020
    • Adaptec Duo64 ANA-62022
    • Adaptec Quartet64 ANA-62044
  • ADMtek AN986-based USB adapters (aue), including: ^(*)
    • 3Com 3c460b
    • Abocom UFE1000
    • Abocom DSB650TX
    • Accton USB320-EC
    • Accton SpeedStream Ethernet
    • Admtek Pegasus
    • Admtek Pegasus II
    • AEI USB Fast Ethernet
    • Allied Telesyn AT-USB100
    • ATEN UC-110T
    • Belkin USB to LAN
    • Billionton Systems USB100
    • Billionton Systems USB100EL
    • Billionton Systems USB100LP
    • Billionton Systems USBE100
    • Corega FEther USB-TX
    • Corega FEther USB-TXS
    • D-Link DSB-650
    • D-Link DSB-650TX
    • D-Link DSB-650TX-PNA
    • ELCON Systemtechnik Goldpfeil P-LAN
    • Elecom LD-USB/TX
    • Elecom LD-USBL/TX
    • Elsa Microlink USB2Ethernet
    • GIGABYTE GN-BR402W
    • Hawking UF100
    • HP HN210E
    • I/O DATA USB ETTX
    • Kingston KNU101TX
    • Laneed LD-USBL/TX
    • Linksys USB100TX
    • Linksys USB100H1
    • Linksys USB10T
    • Linksys USB10TA
    • Linksys USB10TX
    • Melco Inc. LUA-TX
    • Melco Inc. LUA2-TX
    • Microsoft MN110
    • Mobility EasiDock Ethernet
    • Netgear FA101
    • Omnidirectional Control Technology USB TO Ethernet
    • Siemens SpeedStream USB
    • Smartbridges smartNIC 2
    • SMC 2202USB/ETH
    • SMC 2206USB/ETH
    • SOHOware NUB100
    • SOHOware NUB110
  • CATC USB-EL1210A-based USB adapters (cue), including: ^(*)
    • Belkin F5U111
    • CATC Netmate and Netmate II
    • SmartBridges SmartLink
  • Kawasaki LSI KL5KUSB101B-based USB adapters (kue), including: ^(*)
    • 3Com 3c19250
    • 3Com 3c460 HomeConnect
    • AboCom Systems URE450 Ethernet
    • ADS Technologies USB-10BT
    • Aox USB101
    • Asante USB to Ethernet
    • ATen DSB-650C
    • ATen UC10T
    • Corega USB-T
    • D-Link DSB-650C
    • Entrega NET-USB-E45
    • I/O Data USB-ET/T
    • Jaton USB XpressNet
    • Kawasaki USB101
    • Kingston Ethernet
    • Linksys USB10T
    • Mobility Ethernet
    • Netgear EA101
    • Peracom USB
    • Portgear Ethernet
    • Portsmith Express Ethernet
    • Psion Dacom Gold Port Ethernet
    • Shark Pocket Adapter
    • Silicom U2E
    • SMC 2102USB
    • SMC 2104USB
  • Realtek RTL8150L based USB adapters (url), including: ^(*)
    • Abocom RTL8151
    • GreenHouse GH-USB100B
    • GreenHouse GH-USB100B with HomePNA
    • Linksys USB100M
    • Longshine LCS-8138TX
    • Melco Inc. LUA-KTX
    • Micronet SP128AR
    • SMC 2208USB/ETH
    • TRENDnet TU-ET100C
    • Zt USB10/100
  • SMC/WD 8003, 8013, and the SMC "Elite16" ISA boards (we) ^(*)
  • Sundance ST201-based PCI adapters (ste), including: ^(*)
    • D-Link DFE-550TX
    • D-Link DFE-580TX
    • Encore ENL832-TX-ICNT 10/100 M PCI
  • Texas Instruments ThunderLAN PCI adapters (tl), including: ^(*)
    • Compaq Netelligent PCI Adapters
    • Compaq NetFlex 3/P
    • Compaq Deskpro integrated adapter
    • Compaq Prosignia integrated adapter
    • Olicom OC2135, OC2183, OC2325, OC2326
    • Racore 8165 and 8148
    • TI ThunderLAN adapters
  • Winbond W89C840F-based adapters (wb), including: ^(*)
    • TRENDnet TE100-PCIE
    • Compex RL100-ATX 10/100
• ATM Adapters ^(*)
  • Efficient Networks EN-155 and Adaptec ANA-590x ATM interfaces (en)
• FDDI Adapters ^(*)
  • Digital DEFEA EISA FDDI adapters (fea)
• Sound Devices ^(-)
  • C-Media CMI8[37]38 (cmpci)
  • ESS Solo-1 PCI AudioDrive (eso)
  • Forte Media FM801 audio (fms)
  • VIA VT8233, VT8235 and VT8237 AC'97 audio (auvia)
  • S3 SonicVibes (sv)

^(*) Drivers for hardware marked with (*) are not included on the installation floppies, but are available in the cd-rom installation kernel as well as the GENERIC kernel that will be installed.

^(-) Drivers for hardware marked with (-) are not available on the installation floppies, or the cd-rom installation kernel, but are available in the GENERIC kernel that will be installed.

Getting and installing OpenBSD/alpha:

The latest supported OpenBSD/alpha release is OpenBSD 3.9. Here are the OpenBSD/alpha 3.9 installation instructions .

Snapshots are made available from time to time, in this location as well as in a few mirrors. Here are the OpenBSD/alpha snapshot installation instructions as well.

There are several installation media provided:

• CD boot

  Booting off the OpenBSD CD provides an El Torito 2.88MB floppy image that contains drivers for the most popular devices found in alpha hardware. This also includes minimal USB support (storage devices, keyboard and some ethernet adapters).
  For the latest list of drivers available on this image, please take a look at the RAMDISKBIG kernel configuration file.

• Floppy A (floppy39.fs)

  This 1.44MB floppy image supports the following alpha hardware:

  • AlphaStation 200, 250, 255, 400
  • AlphaServer 800, 1000 and 1000A
  • AXPpci33 based machines, such as the ``Noname'', UDB, and Multia
  • EB164 based machines, such as the PC164, 164SX and 164LX
  • Personal Workstation (Miata)

  It contains support for the on-board devices found on these machines, however due to lack of place there are only few other drivers. In particular, this floppy lacks cdrom support and will not allow installation from cdrom media.
  For the latest list of drivers available on this image, please take a look at the RAMDISK kernel configuration file.

• Floppy B (floppyB39.fs)

  This 1.44MB floppy image supports the following alpha hardware:

  • Alpha Processor, Inc. UP1000
  • XP1000, 264DP, DS10, and DS20, CS20
  • Alpha Processor, Inc. UP2000, UP2000+

  It contains support for the on-board devices found on these machines, however due to lack of place there are only few other drivers. In particular, this floppy lacks cdrom support and will not allow installation from cdrom media.
  For the latest list of drivers available on this image, please take a look at the RAMDISKB kernel configuration file.