Select a server near you:

[ Ports ] [ Debian for Sparc ] [ Credits ] [ Porting ] [ Problems ]

# Debian SPARC Port

- Overview
- Current Status
- About 64-bit SPARC support
  - Compiling kernels for sun4u
- Errata
- Who are we? How can I help?
- Where can I find out more information?

## Overview

These pages are meant to assist users and Debian developers running Debian/GNU Linux on the SPARC architecture. In these pages, you will find information about the current status, currently known problems, information for and about Debian porters, and pointers to more information.

## Current Status

Debian SPARC is officially released and known to be stable. Supported are Sun4c, Sun4m, and Sun4u machines (with a 32-bit userland). See the Install Manual for information on supported systems, hardware, and how to install Debian.

## About 64-bit SPARC support

The Debian SPARC port, as mentioned above, does support the sun4u (“Ultra”) architecture. It uses a 64-bit kernel (compiled with a special version of the `egcs` compiler, called “egcs64”), but most of the applications run in 32-bit. This is also called a “32-bit userland”.

The Debian SPARC 64 (a.k.a., “UltraLinux”) porting effort is not currently conceived as a full porting effort like other ports. Rather, it is intended to be an add-on to the SPARC Port.

In fact, there is really no point in having all applications running in 64-bit mode. Full 64-bit mode involves a significant overhead (memory and disk size) with often no benefit. Some applications really can benefit from being in 64-bit mode, and that is the purpose of this porting effort.

### Compiling kernels for sun4u

To compile a Linux kernel for Sun4u, you'll need to use the Linux 2.2 or newer source tree. You must also install the `egcs64` package.

We highly suggest you also use the `kernel-package` package to help with the installation and management of kernels. You can compile a configured kernel in one command (as root):

      make-kpkg --subarch=sun4u --arch_in_name --revision=custom.1 kernel_image

## Errata

Some of the common problems with fixes or workarounds can be found on our Errata page.

## Who are we? How can I help?

The Debian SPARC port is a distributed effort, just as Debian is. Countless people have helped with the porting and documentation efforts, although a short list of credits are available.

If you'd like to help, please join in the <debian-sparc@lists.debian.org> mailing list as described below, and chime in.

Registered developers who would like to actively port and upload ported packages should read the porter guidelines in the Developers Reference, and see the SPARC porting page.

## Where can I find out more information?

The best place to ask Debian-specific questions about the SPARC port is on the mailing list, <debian-sparc@lists.debian.org>. Mailing list archives are browsable on the web.

To subscribe to the list, send a mail to debian-sparc-request@lists.debian.org, with the word `subscribe' in the subject line, and no body. Alternatively, subscribe on the web with the Mailing List subscription page.

Kernel questions should be addressed to the list <sparclinux@vger.rutgers.edu>. Subscribe by sending a message with body `subscribe sparclinux' to the address majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu. There is also a Red Hat list, of course.

This is a very small list of Linux SPARC (a.k.a. “S/Linux”) links:

- UltraLinux -- the definitive source for the kernel port. Don't be deceived by the name; it covers mostly plain SPARC rather than UltraSPARC.
- UltraPenguin -- a port of S/Linux to the sun4u (`Ultra') series of machines.

Back to the Debian Project homepage.

This page is also available in the following languages:
dansk Deutsch español français Italiano 日本語 (Nihongo) Português suomi svenska
How to set the default document language

To report a problem with the web site, e-mail debian-www@lists.debian.org. For other contact information, see the Debian contact page.

Last Modified: Mon, Aug 9 02:32:27 UTC 2004
Copyright © 1997-2004 SPI; See license terms
Debian is a registered trademark of Software in the Public Interest, Inc.