[NTLUG:Discuss] Resources for Linux on AlphaPC?

[Eric Schnoebelen]

Kelledin writes:
- I just recently got hold of an AlphaPC 164LX (a.k.a. Aspen 
- Durango II).  Debian 3.0 installed without a hitch, using kernel 
- 2.2.20.
- 
- Now, though, I'm trying to upgrade it to a 2.4 kernel, but I'm 
- not having much luck. =(  I'd prefer to use a stock kernel, 
- rather than a heavily hacked kernel from a distro provider, but 
- every kernel I've tried from 2.4.16 to 2.4.19 has serious 
- problems booting on this box.

	Given the nature of non-Intel support in Linux, you
might be better off using the distribution provider's kernel.
Debian does a good job of qualifying all the components that go
into their releases, verifying that all the components work and
work well together.

	If you're willing to look outside the Linux realm, you
might consider NetBSD/alpha.  The Alpha processor support is
integrated into the source tree, and maintained there by
dedicated developers. (I run NetBSD on all my Alphas --
AlphaPC64s, AlphaPC164s, AlphaServer 3305Rs, AlphaServer DS10Ls)

	FreeBSD and OpenBSD are also viable Open Source OS
alternatives with good to excellent Alpha processor support. (I
don't have any Alpha's running either OS right now, but I have
in the past.)

--
Eric Schnoebelen		eric at cirr.com		http://www.cirr.com
  "These are the same customers you are refering to whome (sic) Microsoft
  thought would need MS Bob and the Talking Paperclip? One thing is to give
    them enough rope to hang themselves, but a boobietrapped thermonuclear 
      weapon running on a rand(time) countdown?  Is that really wise?"
		   -Terje Bless on BUGTRAQ