Subject: Palcode, was RE: AlphaBios vs SRM
From: Kirk R. Erichsen (Kirke@inteli-home.com)
Date: Thu Sep 16 1999 - 14:07:54 PDT
JJ,
At 07:04 AM 9/16/99 -0400, you wrote:
>OK,
> With AlphaBios and ARC based console, you need to load "milo" to get
>a Linux kernel to run. This is because there is no PAL code present in
>those console environments,
Incorrect on this statement, Palcode is required by Tru 64 UNIX, Open VMS,
Windows NT, BSD UNIX and Linux, the less obvious fact (since this is not
well known) is that PALcode is both dependent on the operating system and
the platform generation. Alpha/Linux MILO boot code uses older PALcode
originally designed for Digital UNIX (around version 3 I believe). Windows
NT Palcode cannot be used to build MILO, likewise Open VMS Palcode cannot
be used for same. PALcode is part of the Alpha architecture and no
operating system can run over the Alpha without it (it would be like
operating without a firmware console), a special top-priority mode is built
into the Alpha design (called appropriately enough PALmode) which can
pre-empt and halt any instruction, including kernel mode instructions.
Milo creates a environment based on a developers
>kit release of generic SRM palcode for the Aphas which allow the linux
>kernel to execute on the ALpha Platform.
MILO creates what is essentially a stipped down linux kernel with the
appropriate drivers necessary to load the compressed operating system
kernel from an appropriate partition, this functionality essentially works
around the inherenent limitations of the AlphaBIOS and ARC console
firmware. It is always better to forgo MILO and use aboot code when and
SRM console is preset or can be freely flashed in place of or concurrently
with the AlphaBIOS/ARC firmware console.
--Kirk
> With SRM "UNIX" console selected, the required pal code is present
>in the console, so milo is not needed. The SRM pal code is proprietary, and
>is constantly updated to include new platform support and features.
>
>Thats it simply put.. Stick with SRM unless you have an Adaptec disk
>controller you want to boot from, however, the next SRM release will add
>support the Adaptec.
>
>JJ
>
>> ----------
>> From: Sean Hunter[SMTP:sean@uncarved.co.uk]
>> Reply To: axp-list@redhat.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 12:59 PM
>> To: axp-list@redhat.com
>> Subject: AlphaBios vs SRM
>> Importance: High
>>
>> Could someone just explain if there would be any benefit in me (a
>> Ruffian user) moving my box to boot from the SRM, please?
>>
>> I don't dual-boot or do network booting.
>>
>> Sean
>>
>> --
>> To unsubscribe: send e-mail to axp-list-request@redhat.com with
>> 'unsubscribe' as the subject. Do not send it to axp-list@redhat.com
>>
>
>--
>To unsubscribe: send e-mail to axp-list-request@redhat.com with
>'unsubscribe' as the subject. Do not send it to axp-list@redhat.com
>
>
-- To unsubscribe: send e-mail to axp-list-request@redhat.com with 'unsubscribe' as the subject. Do not send it to axp-list@redhat.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2a22 : Mon Oct 04 1999 - 12:44:53 PDT