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Can I install Gentoo on Sparc32 (SS20)?
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chris_andrew
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:33 am    Post subject: Can I install Gentoo on Sparc32 (SS20)? Reply with quote

Hi,

I notice that Gentoo only officially supports 64 bit (Ultra). Is it possible to download an ISO that supports 32 bit? I know I did this a few years ago, but I can only see 64 bit ISO's, now.

Anyone one know?

Thanks,

Chris.
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chris_andrew
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anybody know?
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starrbuck
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you can find an old ISO in the experimental directories under sparc32, give them a try. There was also a thread recently here about someone trying to keep it alive so you might search for that. Personally, I've retired mine and moved on to the 64-bit.
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chris_andrew
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for that, I'll search around for an ISO. In the mean time, if anybody knows the where abouts of one, I'd appreciate a URL. (Just looked) I can only see stage tarballs, is their any way I can boot, in order to use these?

I have just started to put together a Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparc32_linux_distributions for GNU/Linux distros that support sparc (32) (not sparc64). It would be great if I could add Gentoo to this page.

Thanks,

Chris.
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qtothemax
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can netboot with the image from http://gentoo.osuosl.org/experimental/sparc/tftpboot/sparc/
Stages are available up to and including 2006.1http://gentoo.osuosl.org/releases/sparc/2006.1/sparc32/stages/

I'm running an SS20 as a firewall, and its surprisingly stable.
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chris_andrew
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Does that mean I have to boot from another PC, or will it let me do a network install across the internet?

Thanks,

Chris.
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Syntaxis
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

chris_andrew wrote:
I have just started to put together a Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparc32_linux_distributions for GNU/Linux distros that support sparc (32) (not sparc64).

Good idea. :-)

With regards to the Debian entry...

It'd be nice to clarify that the Debian Stable branch will be unaffected, regardless of the outcome of the most recent discussion. Sparc32 will be supported as part of Etch 'til at least the end of 2008, when Lenny is tentatively predicted to be released (and probably beyond - Woody still received security updates et al for a full year after becoming OldStable following the release of Sarge).

Also, the fact that there's no longer any upstream support for the kernel or toolchain (the reason for Debian dropping the port) is probably worth a prominent mention outside of the distribution table - all distributions will be affected, regardless of whether they officially discontinue sparc32 support or not.
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chris_andrew
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, Syntaxis :-).

With regard to the network boot/ install, is it possible to do a network install using a boot image and the internet, for sparc (32). What I mean is, doing an install like the debian network ISO. This boots into an installer environment and then downloads any further files from a mirror.

Cheers,

Chris.
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chris_andrew
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I guess the answer is _no_!
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qtothemax
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The answer is no. You have to set up a RARP and TFTP server on another machine on your network to netboot your sparc.

NetBSD has a good howto, and includes instructions for using linux as the netboot server. You should just have to do the RARP and TFTP sections then fire up your sparc and enter "boot net" at the ok prompt.

The image will boot you into an installer environment, then you download a stage tarball and go from there like a normal gentoo install.
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Ixar
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For your information the experimental gentoo image for sparc32 has the following problems:
- mke2fs does not work properly...
- the dhcp client does not work as well.

I used a debian install image to install gentoo (via RARP/TFTP).

Now I run a pseudo 2007.0 gentoo on my sparc32... it works perfectly.

I use it as a fileserver/router. It performs as well as an old P3 1GHz server I have, and is even faster on file transfer.
The main problem is if you use encryption, since it is CPU intensive the performances are very bad (i tried with openssh).

However I love to keep my old computers running.

Good luck !
Ixar
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