Hello, All! I have just subscribed to this list. Would anybody be kind and sum up the discussion this far? Regards, Daniel --
Daniel Engstrom wrote:
I have just subscribed to this list. Would anybody be kind and sum up the discussion this far?
Okay, a quick summary of what has happened on the list since I subscribed: Ideas on how to get started: - Stefan Reinauer: + port OpenFirmware + port MILO (Linux/Alpha boot loader w/ full BIOS functionality) - me: + remove the BIOS querying code from the linux kernel. Code that might be useful: - Stephen Williams: + PCI scanning code for the i960Rx chipset + multithreading + compiler (?) + TCL interpreter Technical issues: - 16 bit code: + Stefan Reinauer: No, since we do not have enough free space in the flashable area. + me: Wrapper functions which may be linked at compile time. - language: + Stefan: C, ASM where required - testing platforms: + Stefan has tried to boot Bochs, which runs fine on his Alpha, but he expects problems with the PnP and PCI init code. + I have two or three testing mainboards here, but for neither of them I have the correct power supply... :-( - Karl Erik Asbjørnsen thinks that you should be able to load another BIOS from harddisk.
On 12 Oct, Simon Richter wrote:
Daniel Engstrom wrote:
I have just subscribed to this list. Would anybody be kind and sum up the discussion this far?
Okay, a quick summary of what has happened on the list since I subscribed: Ok, thanks, I was starting to give up on receiving a reply.
Here is what I thought: A free Open Firmware implementation that runs on my PC would be utterly cool and the Right Thing To Do <tm>. Having a open source firmware code base would also make life easier for people who make their own embedded boards. The boring part is that I believe the Open Firmware specs cost money. In order to to this one fist should get the specs (anyone here who has them?) And then make an architecture addendum for the i386 and submit it to the Open Firmware folks. (Las time I checked their web site there were none for the i386, the web site is unresponsive at the moment.) I also think that providing legacy OS support though loading a traditional BIOS from disk is the way to go. Is there anyone who have stated on any i386 bootstrap code? /Daniel --
Hi... On Tue, 13 Oct 1998 daniel.engstrom@riksnett.no wrote:
Here is what I thought: A free Open Firmware implementation that runs on my PC would be utterly cool and the Right Thing To Do <tm>.
This is generally correct I would say. But what could/should be discussed is whether we should really implement what is IEEE Std 1275-1994 (Official Name of Sun's OpenFirmware). I am a bit in fear that we might get problems implementing a forth interpreter in 128k together with the whole stuff we need to get a machine running. (This may be because I am not familiar with Forth, though) :) What I would like to see as a result of this project is a slim-but-mighty solution. I really don't know whether this is practicable with IEEE 1275-1994.
Having a open source firmware code base would also make life easier for people who make their own embedded boards. True. this would again be an arguement for implementing the IEEE version. Afaik they have general drivers to access OpenFirmware supported hardware in Net- or OpenBSD.
The boring part is that I believe the Open Firmware specs cost money.
They are available as a book. I ordered it today :-) It's ISBN Number 1-55937-426-8 IEEE Std 1275-1994: IEEE Standard for Boot Firmware.
In order to to this one fist should get the specs (anyone here who has them?) And then make an architecture addendum for the i386 and submit it to the Open Firmware folks. (Las time I checked their web site there were none for the i386, the web site is unresponsive at the moment.)
I found http://playground.sun.com/1275/home.html which might be interesting as a starting point, but I haven't had a closer look at it.
I also think that providing legacy OS support though loading a traditional BIOS from disk is the way to go.
Yes. fully true. Stefan. -- .signature: No such file or directory
participants (4)
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Daniel Engstrom -
daniel.engstrom＠riksnett.no -
Simon Richter -
Stefan Reinauer