B.4.1. Kernel Tuning

Once you have completed the installation, compile your own kernel, because the kernel shipped with your distribution probably contains more device drivers than you need. You can find information on compiling a kernel at the AlphaLinux web site (http://www.linuxalpha.org ), as well as in the kernel HOWTO (available from any Linux archive site).

B.4.2. Performance and Library Tuning

To increase the performance of AlphaLinux, you can replace the standard math libraries with the Compaq Portable Math Library (CPML). The CPML is identical in content to the Compaq Tru64 Unix libm and replaces the AlphaLinux libm directly. For more information on the CPML, visit:

http://www.unix.digital.com/linux/cpml.htm

A good resource for AlphaLinux performance tuning is available at:

http://cyclone.ncsa.uiuc.edu/PCA/PerformanceTuning.html

B.4.3. Binary Emulation

AlphaLinux is mostly binary compatible with Tru64 Unix (Digital Unix or DU); however, not all the system calls have been implemented. To run Tru64 Unix binaries on AlphaLinux, you need some of the shared libraries from Tru64 Unix. These are now available with several Linux distributions or can be downloaded with Netscape Communicator from Compaq. A more detailed explanation on how to set this up can be found in the AlphaLinux FAQ at http://www.linuxalpha.org/faq/FAQ.html.

AlphaLinux can also execute i386 Linux binaries through a program called em86. Information on this is available in the AlphaLinux FAQ. Please note that patching the kernel is no longer necessary, although you must compile in support for i386 binaries when building the kernel.

B.4.4. Graphical Browser Considerations

Netscape has not ported the Netscape Communicator to AlphaLinux. But do not despair, because with binary emulation for x86 and Tru64 Unix, the x86 and Tru64 native binaries will run on AlphaLinux. Thanks to Download a Netscape RPM with the necessary Tru64 libraries from:

http://www.compaq.com/partners/netscape/downloads/register_nav4_Linux.html

The Mozilla browser is also an alternative. Information on Mozilla and other browser options can be found at http://www.linuxalpha.org/software. Precompiled RPMs can also be found at http://ftp://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla/releases/. Choose the directory that corresponds to the Mozilla release, then choose either the RedHat 6.x or 7.x directories and then the alpha directory.

Another option is the KDE file manager from the K desktop environment (http://www.kde.org ).