C.4.1. Sources of Information

Following is a partial list of important Internet sources for Alpha hardware information and information about installing Linux on Alpha systems.

C.4.2. CPU, Support Chipset, Board, and System Identification

For purposes of installing Linux from a CD-ROM distribution, the subdivisions differ in the support that the Linux kernel provides for the features of the chips and in system assemblies and interfaces that use those features. If you cannot boot a kernel that appears to match your system, try a similar kernel from a related system or try a generic kernel. And, if that does not work, go to the AlphaLinux FTP site and try an earlier kernel or a later, developmental kernel. For the most part, however, your installation should be straightforward if you have selected the right image files to load and install Linux.

The subclass your system falls into determines whether you follow a routine Linux diskette-load installation procedure or use an alternative procedure. Even the routine AlphaLinux installation procedure is more complex than a Linux installation on the usual Intel PC. While the Intel PC provides the system hardware interface in the onboard BIOS, Alpha systems require that the system bootstrap itself by defining and loading a firmware interface before loading the operating system. For our installation purposes, we must usually use a firmware console that is resident on the system to load Milo (or another miniloader), which then loads Linux on the system.

• If the firmware was configured for Tru64 Unix or Open VMS, the system will have the SRM command-line console. The only exceptions are systems based around the UX motherboard, which have their own ARCS BIOSfirmware.

• If the firmware was configured for Windows NT, the system will have the ARC menu-interface console or AlphaBIOS graphical user interface console.

While you can get by using a slightly old Red Hat Milo for your hardware with the latest Red Hat Linux, you could not use a NetBSD Milo image (based on DU PALcode) or a Milo image prepared for a very different Alpha system. Milo must be compatible with the system firmware used to load it as well as the Linux kernel that it loads. For instance, a Milo designed for ARC may not work if loaded with SRM even if it is for the correct system. Sometimes system firmware must be updated before using it to load the Milo image into memory. AlphaBIOS firmware, in particular, is updated frequently, and if your system uses AlphaBIOS you should assume that you need to update it before installing Linux. Your CD-ROM distribution may contain images for updated AlphaBIOS, ARC, or SRM firmware, if there is a known need for the updated version.