[OpenIndiana-discuss] Sparc

Sun Sep 14 00:00:25 UTC 2014

Oracle has released documentation detailing new sparc v9 isa extensions used in the latest processors.

Other than that, the processors are binary compatible, any new hardware will have OpenBoot fcode drivers.

There may be some OS drivers missing, but the system should at least boot and mostly function.

Linux kernel support for the latest sparc processors appears to be active:

https://patchwork.ozlabs.org/patch/386796/

So not only Oracle Solaris, but Linux is an alternative.

----- Original message -----
> 
> Am 13.09.2014 um 12:09 schrieb Krzysztof Grzempa <grzempek at gmail.com>:
> 
> > Im watching this disscusion, and you guys interested me into OpenSXCE
> > Ilumos distro. I might have get V440 server and i was looking for good
> > illumos distro to run. I read some about this distro, and instead of
> > solid knowledge, i started to worry about some Putin's backdoors
> > included…
> Come on, only Oracle can provide an OS for new generation SPARCs (newer
> T series or SPARC64). OpenSolaris and thus all of its derivates can only
> support UltraSPARC and older T series processors. There is only little
> commercial interest in machines using this processors. So creating a
> special backdoor for SPARC distributions is even less interesting than
> building a commercial product. In other words: it would be a totally
> waste of time and thus extremely unlikely.
> 
> Let’s face it: OpenSolaris based SPARC distributions are only hobby.
> 
> I guess Martin’s idea was to create a community and make a living from
> commercial support. But that failed miserably. Partly because there is
> only very little interest in OpenSolaris generally and SPARC
> particularly. Partly, because Martin doesn’t seem to be diplomatic in
> his communication. Add some impatience to that and you’ll get what we
> have now.
> 
> Until now there is no OpenSolaris SPARC community and despite OpenSXCE
> no downloadable distribution. So in my eyes OpenSXCE seems to be the
> only direction to go if we want a SPARC distribution at all.
> 
> Regards,
> Andreas
> 
> PS: OpenSXCE 2014.5 has some rough edges for me but for a one man
> project so far it is really nice.
> 
> and SPARC 
> > I dont like to mix up technology and politics and this guy obviously
> > cannot split these two things.
> > Anyway I will try OpenSXCE   for testing..
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > 
> > 2014-09-12 9:39 GMT+02:00 Peter <jini at zeus.net.au>:
> > 
> > > I agree with Nikola and I'd also like to add:
> > > 
> > > Martin's circumstances and success is inexorably linked to the
> > > success of Illumos and OI, commercial projects that build upon
> > > successful free projects are also often successful.   Last I checked
> > > the terms and conditions, OpenSXCE is a commercial project.   Martin
> > > has held on to his vision longer than most would due to his
> > > conviction and determination. Successful commercial projects also
> > > contribute back to their free community projects.
> > > 
> > > Success comes with stability and surety, the only way that can occur
> > > is for people with different needs and common interests to find a
> > > way to understand each others needs and find acceptable compromises.
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > 
> > > Peter.
> > > 
> > > ----- Original message -----
> > > > On 09/ 6/14 08:03 PM, Dormition Skete (Hotmail) wrote:
> > > > > He used to have a mailing list that someone in the Netherlands
> > > > > set up for him, but it had very little traffic, and seems to
> > > > > have disappeared in recent months.
> > > > Hm, this doesn't seems right. If someone started hosting mailing
> > > > list for him, at least he could get someone else continue hosting
> > > > for it. Till now - I didn't know OpenSXCE mailing list existed.
> > > > > 
> > > > > If you’re interested, write him at martin at martux.org
> > > > > 
> > > > > It appears to be the only open source distro for sparc, and I
> > > > > have not seen anyone else having much interest in it, so if you
> > > > > want an open source distro for sparc, I think that is your only
> > > > > option.     And I’m not sure I should call this an “open source”
> > > > > project, but it is a free one.
> > > > Seems like people are saying enough with not involving. Open
> > > > source is more important then 'free project'.
> > > > 
> > > > Being OpenSource or not - is fundamental differentiator between
> > > > something being interesting and usefull and not. Free software
> > > > Copyleft licenses (CDDL, others) require derivative work to be
> > > > open if distributed. Not to mention need for code to be audited by
> > > > wider audience before     wider use and the time needed for the code
> > > > changes to be reviewed     independently, when released.
> > > > All this is not present in OpenSXCE and therefore, results are
> > > > known.
> > > > 
> > > > I really like what Martin is doing, would very much like to help
> > > > him, and would like to see people to contribute to him back by all
> > > > means, only some need of openness in the projects is needed.
> > > > 
> > > > Connecting work only and directly to just financial aspect is not
> > > > straightforward, as it seems.
> > > > There is many more things to consider in path between working on
> > > > something and picking fruits of on'e work and most important is:
> > > > what (possibly paying) users would like to have.
> > > > I would like Source code open and Copyleft licensed - like the
> > > > code that is started with.
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > > openindiana-discuss at openindiana.org
> > > > http://openindiana.org/mailman/listinfo/openindiana-discuss
> > > 
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