[rescue] Alpha and Linux?

[Meelis Roos]

> I am pondering if i should try using a version of Linux on my Alphastation
> 200 4/266. I'm considering it for the simple reason that I hope to build
> more modern software on it than is available for Tru64 and still have the
> ability to run the Open Genera application with the Tru64 support.
> 
> Gentoo appears to be fairly recent - 2014. Debian dropped support around
> 5.0 2009  but it is all still there online.


There is debian-ports that is mostly alive - I am running Gentoo on some of
my alphas and at least one debian-ports (I also run debian-ports on some ia64
machines and on multiple parisc machines).

The current state of installer ISO is strange - the ISO lacks non-free (=all)
firmware that is required for install on some alphas. That should change soon.

You may find an older ISO that works for you.
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/ is the place.

Once installed, Linux works for me on DS10, DS10L, Eiger (single EV6/500) but
current kernels do not work on my PC164 (bisecting sometimes but it is slow with
no remote power and reset).

I compile my own kernels on all old play computers to test linux kernel git
before releases, so my usage patterns probably differ from yours. I just require
up to date (and reasonably regularly updated) toolchain and fast disk and serial
console and SSH.

-- 
Meelis Roos <mroos at linux.ee>