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diff --git a/ca/hardware/supported/sparc.xml b/ca/hardware/supported/sparc.xml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..d00c6b252 --- /dev/null +++ b/ca/hardware/supported/sparc.xml @@ -0,0 +1,82 @@ +<!-- retain these comments for translator revision tracking --> +<!-- original version: 28997 untranslated --> + + + <sect2 arch="sparc" id="sparc-cpus"><title>CPU, Main Boards, and Video Support</title> +<para> + +Currently the <emphasis>&architecture;</emphasis> port supports +several types of Sparc systems. The most common identifiers for Sparc +systems are sun4, sun4c, sun4m, sun4d and sun4u. Currently we do not +support very old sun4 hardware. However, the other systems are +supported. Sun4d has been tested the least of these, so expect +possible problems with regard to the kernel stability. Sun4c and +Sun4m, the most common of the older Sparc hardware, includes such +systems as SparcStation 1, 1+, IPC, IPX and the SparcStation LX, 5, +10, and 20, respectively. The UltraSPARC class systems fall under the +sun4u identifier, and are supported using the sun4u set of install +images. Some systems that fall under these supported identifiers are +known to not be supported. Known unsupported systems are the AP1000 +multicomputer and the Tadpole Sparcbook 1. See the +<ulink url="&url-sparc-linux-faq;">Linux for SPARCProcessors FAQ</ulink> +for complete information. + +</para> + + <sect3><title>Memory Configuration</title> +<para> + +Some older Sun workstations, notably the Sun IPX and Sun IPC have +memory banks located at fixed locations in physical memory. Thus if +the banks are not filled gaps will exist in the physical memory space. +The Linux installation requires a contiguous memory block into which +to load the kernel and the initial RAMdisk. If this is not available a +<quote>Data Access Exception</quote> will result. + +</para><para> + +Thus you must configure the memory so that the lowest memory block is +contiguous for at least 8Mb. In the IPX and IPC cited above, memory banks +are mapped in at 16Mb boundaries. In effect this means that you must have +a sufficiently large SIMM in bank zero to hold the kernel and RAMdisk. +In this case 4Mb is <emphasis>not</emphasis> sufficient. + +</para><para> + +Example: +In a Sun IPX you have a 16Mb SIMM and a 4Mb SIMM. There are four +SIMM banks (0,1,2,3). [Bank zero is that furthest away from the SBUS +connectors]. You must therefore install the 16Mb SIMM in bank 0; it is +then recommended to install the 4Mb SIMM in bank 2. + +</para> + </sect3> + + <sect3><title>Graphics Configuration</title> +<para> + +Especially in the case of older Sun workstations, it is very common +for there to be an onboard framebuffer which has been superseded (for +example the bwtwo on a sun IPC), and an SBUS card containing a later +probably accelerated buffer is then plugged in to an SBUS slot. +Under Solaris/SunOS this causes no problems because both cards are +initialized. + +</para><para> + +However with Linux this can cause a problem, in that the boot PROM +monitor may display its output on this additional card; however the +linux kernel boot messages may then be directed to the original on +board framebuffer, leaving <emphasis>no</emphasis> error messages on +the screen, with the machine apparently stuck loading the RAMdisk. + +</para><para> + +To avoid this problem, connect the monitor (if required) to the video +card in the lowest numbered SBUS slot (on motherboard card counts +as below external slots). Alternatively it is possible to use a serial +console. + +</para> + </sect3> + </sect2> |