Anyone running linux on a SPARC?

[bryan 4 real]

I might buy a Sun SPARC [not sure which model yet], but I need to know if linux runs well on it. So far, all I have used Linux with is my PC, and I need to know if buying a SPARC to use as a linux machine is worth the cost. I dont do any web serving or anything like that, I just use linux to learn it and do the usual, like web browsing and stuff. If anyone here has experienced running linux off a SPARC, let me know how it is, id really appreciate it.

[Ryeker]

I used to have RedHat 6.2 on a SPARC. Worked fine as a gateway and file server. Honestly, it wasn't that exciting. I'd suggest sticking to a PC. More upgradable and cheaper. Unless you really need to learn about SPARC hardware.

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ryeker@yahoo.com

Beauty is only skin deep... Attitude runs to the bone. -Dark Angel

[Calvin_1976]

Unless you are in need of learning about SPARC workstations I wouldnt get one. Its is far cheaper and much easier to buy/build a low end P133 or P166. A SPARC is going to require expensive proprietary RAM and it will need SCSI hard drives. Not to mention you need a Sun keyboard and mouse because PS/2 doesnt work with them. Oh dont forget you have to get a sun monitor with that 13W3 connector on it. I bought a couple pieces of sun hardware awhile back...Only benefit I got was learning SPARC equipment and Solaris. My reasons where for work, though now we are using alot of Linux x86 workstations instead.

[Ryeker]

There are VGA framebuffers available for the SPARCs. They work fine with PC monitors.

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ryeker@yahoo.com

Beauty is only skin deep... Attitude runs to the bone. -Dark Angel

[Calvin_1976]

Originally posted by Ryeker:
There are VGA framebuffers available for the SPARCs. They work fine with PC monitors.



Yes there are but thats just one more thing that would cost more than a low end agp or pci video card.

[bryan 4 real]

I suppose your right. I can finish building the pc i started a while back and throw linux on it...and i have an old NEC versa 6050mmx that i know is compatible with linux, so i may use that aswell.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Ryeker]

Originally posted by Calvin_1976:
Yes there are but thats just one more thing that would cost more than a low end agp or pci video card.

IIRC, we were putting ATI Rage IIc in UltraSPARCs (ones with PCI slots). Those are fairly cheap. But for an SBUS based system, you are probably right. (Where were worked, we had all types of SBUS cards lying around. So, didn't really matter). Remember, I was advocating using a PC platform...

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ryeker@yahoo.com

Beauty is only skin deep... Attitude runs to the bone. -Dark Angel