Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 08:53:21 -0700 From: Wes Peters <wes@softweyr.com> To: Lyndon Griffin <lgriffin@bsd4us.org> Cc: freebsd-sparc@freebsd.org Subject: Re: 32 vs. 64 Message-ID: <3885DDF1.DDABD91C@softweyr.com> References: <Pine.BSO.4.10.10001190326240.31627-100000@ns.bsd4us.org>
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Lyndon Griffin wrote:
>
> Hmmm... I didn't find a question like this in the archives, so here goes:
>
> Given that Solaris 7 (and 8) can run both 32bit and 64bit executables, can
> a sun4u boot off a 32bit-only kernel? I assume the answer is yes, since I
> have (at work, not at my disposal) an Ultra 2 that runs Solaris 2.5.1.
> Maybe I'm mistaken about the nature of Solaris' gradual movement to 64bit,
> and Solaris 2.5.1 is indeed a 64bit os?
file /kernel/genunix doesn't say 64, so it's apparently a 32-bit kernel on
2.5.1.
> Where I'm heading with this is that it may not be so difficult to put all
> sparc architectures into the same source node - make a single kernel that
> can boot all suns, and have generic kernels that are tailored for each
> architecture or family.
Except for 32 vs. 64 bits, which are different object formats and instruction
formats (32 vs. 64 bits). Maybe a smart loader and /kernel32 and /kernel64
files?
> I know this is *way* ahead of where we are, but
> if this is a possible goal, maybe we should start planning early to
> support it. My understanding of the way that sun accomplishes this is
> that the install CD boots from a different slice depending on your
> architecture. I know that comparing ctimes across different
> platforms, same version of OS, yields totally different results, but the
> Solaris literature I've read suggests that for many programs, a separate
> build for each architecture is not necessary. Am I making any sense?
Yes, but I'm not sure you're understanding the situation. 64-bit versions
of Solaris will run 32-bit SPARC executables, and most of the utilities seem
to be 32-bit. Take this with a grain of salt, we get Solaris 2.5.1 crammed
down our throats because our tools people are too swamped in their own
scripting nightmares to update our build tools beyond 2.5.1, so we only have
one system running 2.7.
> Can anyone lend suggestions on building a cross-compiler.
Just one: keep hacking at it until it works. I've successfully built a
cross-compiler for the Fujitsu SPARClite eval boards on FreeBSD, using
the SunOS-based libraries on the Fuj CD-ROM and a lot of perserverance.
--
"Where am I, and what am I doing in this handbasket?"
Wes Peters Softweyr LLC
wes@softweyr.com http://softweyr.com/
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